Following the sell out success of last year’s inaugural economics and comedy festival, Kilkenomics is set to return to Kilkenny from November 2 – 6. Kilkenomics aims to dispel confusion surrounding the current national situation by taking economics out of its conventional spaces and presenting the issues of the day in an accessible and entertaining manner to live audiences.
With another exciting programme in place featuring world renowned economic experts together with some of Ireland’s favourite comedians, Kilkenomics promises five days of straight talking informative shows designed to engage and enlighten.
This year’s festival again sees leading experts from across the globe converge on the Marble City, including one of the most highly respected commentators of the moment, American economist Jeffrey Sachs. Considered to be the foremost international economic advisor of his generation, Sachs has been at the vanguard of economic development issues for more than 20 years. Join David McWilliams and Jeffrey Sachs in the Set Theatre on Saturday November 5, as they discuss the difficulties facing Ireland today and their possible solutions.
Other speakers over the weekend include British economist and author Will Hutton. A popular commentator on the credit crunch, join the passionate Hutton to find out What is the Future of the Euro? on Saturday November 5, in the Ormonde Hotel.
For festival first-timers interested in getting involved, why not join David McWilliams for a fun and informative session on jargon busting, on Friday November 4, in The Set Theatre.
Also on the programme is a dedicated session to Budget 2012. If you have questions you want answered, this session is the perfect opportunity to ask the experts in person. Find out exactly what lies ahead for the nation when Fintan O’Toole is joined by experts Margaret E Ward, Colm McCarthy, and Constantin Gurdgiev to debate Budget 2012: Spend or Cut? in The Ormonde Hotel on Saturday, November 5.
This year’s comedians include David O’Doherty, Des Bishop, Neil Delamere, Colm O’Regan, Keith Farnan, and Karl Spain; who will offer their own perspective on the current challenges. Through their unique insight and innate ability to get to the essence of an issue, the Kilkenomics comedians ensure that the festival does not get mired in abstract economic theory.
Audience participation is crucial and organisers strongly encourage people to go along and use this opportunity to ask the questions they want answered and in a language they will understand.
Bulmers Original is supporting the local economy by signing on as official festival partner for this year’s festival.
For anyone interested in working behind the scenes of the 2011 Kilkenomics festival, email volunteers@kilkenomics.com for further information.
Tickets are on sale now. For further information visit www.kilkenomics.com
