Festival Producer Marjie Kaley celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Kilkenny Arts Festival, as the epic arts shindig descends upon the Mable county this August...
Many of us who work in festivals are drawn to the buzz, the feeling of enrichment as the culmination of months of work peak with remarkable people weaving together a tapestry of experiences for audiences in the most imaginative of spaces. Festivals are almost never without their setbacks, their heartbreaks, their stresses and roadblocks, on the smallest or largest of scales, and this year, the preparations for the 50th Kilkenny Arts Festival were no different.
What struck me this year, is the feeling of community and ownership within the city for a festival that burst onto the Irish arts scene half a century ago. When faced with seemingly unsolvable challenges, the local community in Kilkenny and the Festival Community beyond come together in full force to face them head on. Volunteers come out in their droves, local businesses, and residents bring an unparalleled level of support to keep us on track, Kilkenny County Council workers and elected representatives come out to bat for us time and again, and artists give their time, patience and talents to build new and wonderful experiences for audiences from all over the world.
I have worked and attended many festivals over the years, but very rarely have I experienced the kind of magic that comes from walking through the historic streets of Kilkenny when the Arts Festival in is full flow. The colours, sounds and beauty of the city sparking imaginations all over.
Speaking of lighting up – this year, Kilkenny Castle will be setting the stage for an awe-inspiring audio-visual event created by Jack Phelan, In Good Hands, in which the Castle walls will be lit up once night falls with a unique tribute to handmade art and design, inspired by the graphic genius of Damien Harrington, who designed our very first logo in 1974.
The magic will continue within the Kilkenny Castle Parklands with the return of Architects of Air and their mesmerizing luminarium. This giant maze, filled with light, sound and vibrant colours will bring together people from all generations, creating an atmosphere of otherworldliness just minutes from the centre of the city.
Our music programme is anchored within the stunning medieval walls of St. Canice's Cathedral, featuring Festival favourites such as artist-in-residence Martin Hayes and an array of special guests, the Irish Chamber Orchestra alongside the renowned Philip Selway of Radiohead, Chamber Choir Ireland, Barry Douglas, Malcom Proud and Malian Wassoulou musician Oumou Sangaré and her 7 piece band, among others. The Marble City Sessions, Rollercoaster Sessions and the Lunchtime Music Series completes another eclectic music line-up for our 50th anniversary.
Throughout the last year, we have been workshopping with members of the migrant communities within Kilkenny in collaboration with the renowned director and choreographer John Scott of Irish Modern Dance Theatre which culminates Migration Sonata, a movement and music piece which celebrates our shared humanity and the strength of our diverse community.
On the 50th anniversary of his first Festival appearance, we will gather in the Parade Tower of Kilkenny Castle to celebrate Seamus Heaney's translations, exploring the power of words that have resonated through generations. We are also so privileged to have the esteemed Kwame Dawes from Ghana as our poet-in-residence, who will be exploring the murky waters of voice in language within the beautiful Watergate Theatre during the Festival.
As we gather in the medieval heart of Ireland this coming August for our 50th year, I hope that together we can revel and rejoice in the spirit of unity and creativity that defines our community.
Kilkenny Arts Festival 2023 runs from 10th - 20th August - find out more here.
