Friday 24 - Sunday 26 August 2001, Dun Laoghaire, County Dublin (various venues).
South County Dublin seems an unlikely location to hold a multi-cultural festival but this weekend Dun Laoghaire plays host to the first Festival of World Cultures. Ireland is fast becoming a melting pot of cultures and the festival hopes to celebrate this newfound ethnicity. An ambitious calendar of events aims to explore international culture through the media of dance, story-telling, performances and workshops. Acts from as far afield as Africa, South America, Siberia and Japan will contribute to the weekend event.
A vast spectrum of music will be featured over the three days with some notable highlights. The first gem is Yat-Kha, an eclectic folk group hailing from Tuva, an independent region of the Russian Federation. In describing their influences mainman Albert Kuvezin says, "We grew up listening to the lullabies, shepherd songs and drunkard songs of our parents, uncles and grandmothers at the same time as listening to hard rock and punk". If that's not enough, they incorporate 'Khoomi', an indigenous vocal technique involving throat-singing – expect something completely different.
Japanese multi-instrumentalist Joji Hirota will treat audiences to his distinctive vocals. A distinguished flautist, he will be joined by the magical percussion of the Taiko Drummers. He is an internationally acclaimed artist who has worked with Pol Brennan from Clannad, the world music organization WOMAD, and written Shakespearian scores.
One of the most prominent Irish contributors is renowned composer and musician Mícheál Ó'Súilleabháin. The Tipperary-born composer has previously been commissioned to work on a Eurovision interval piece and the RTÉ/BBC Irish music programme, 'A River Of Sound'. His eighth major work 'Templum' – a large-scale orchestral piece – will debut at the festival, which involves a collaboration with the Irish Chamber Orchestra and various solo artists.
There is no shortage of events for children with Circo Teatro Udi Grudi providing one of the most exciting visual performances on the bill. Roughly translated, 'Circus Theatre of the Underground' is a Brazilian collective who use street debris as musical instruments, updating the jaded clown routine of days gone by. The clown trio are acrobats who play instruments, juggle, dance and eat fire; they will take your current perceptions of circus performance chew them up and spit them out.
In recent times, palpable intolerance has been a feature of multi-cultural life in Ireland. This is often based on ignorance and an inability to comprehend the differences of other cultures. The timing of the festival should help to educate and inspire as well as entertain and, given the diversity of the programme (there are over 30 acts on the bill), there should be something for everyone.
Sinéad Gleeson
Yat-Kha perform at the Pavilion on Friday 24 August at 8pm. Joji Hirota performs at the Pavilion on Saturday 25 August at 8pm. Mícheál Ó'Súilleabháin performs at St Michael's Church on Saturday 25 August at 8pm. Circo Teatro Udi Grudi takes place on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 August at The Pavilion Theatre, Dun Laoghaire at 2pm.
