Kilkenny is set to come alive with colour and sound tomorrow evening as the city gears itself up for the 35th annual Kilkenny Arts Festival.
Traditionally one of the largest festivals on the Irish arts calendar, this year’s festival promises to be on a par with anything seen in the city yet, with more than 300 performers and artists involved and thousands of visitors expected to arrive in the city during the 10 days of the festival.
The festival will open on Friday evening with the launch of the visual arts exhibitions in Rothe House, while leading countertenor Andreas Scholl, Malian toureg tribesmen Toumast and young bands Tenpastseven and Jazz Panda will perform in different venues across the city.
And the streets of Kilkenny will witness a true spectacle on Saturday evening with the rhythmic re-telling of the birth of the sun which will see the city’s thoroughfares come alive to the sights and sounds of French circus troupe La Compagnie Malabar for their street theatre piece, Helios II.
Declan Murphy of Fáilte Ireland believes that the Arts Festival is so important to Kilkenny because it attracts positive attention to the city, which is as important, if not more so, than attracting tourists’ euros.
“It transcends Kilkenny even,” he told the Kilkenny Advertiser ahead of tomorrow’s opening.
“The Arts Festival is a national occasion because it is so large and along with the Galway Arts Festival it is the best in the country and along with the Cat Laughs it is one of the best known festivals in Ireland.
“It does a huge amount of good, not only in bringing people here but in building up the profile of Kilkenny as an arts and a creative centre here in Ireland.
“It generates not only euros but also a feel-good factor which is hard to measure in terms of money.
“Fáilte Ireland is of course heavily involved as a sponsor and we are delighted to be associated with a festival that is very professionally run and always has been.
“Having looked at the line-up it is obviously an international festival and it’s fantastic to see such renowned artists coming to Kilkenny.”
Kilkenny Art Festival CEO Damian Downes said it was time for the city to ‘celebrate’.
“We have a great programme of exciting, provoking and entertaining events for all ages,” he said.
“There’s something for everyone, from the Wired strand of contemporary music, to groundbreaking theatre to fun, free outdoor events for all the family.
“This is going to be the biggest and, we hope, the best festival yet.”
Meanwhile festival organisers are warning motorists in the city to be mindful that the festival will be likely to lead to added traffic volumes over the 10 days.
