At an intimate ‘Made in Limerick’ event held at Dance Limerick, John’s Square, during the President’s visit to Limerick, Mr Higgins praised the work of this strand of City of Culture and its participants.
Published Tuesday 7th October 2014
At an intimate ‘Made in Limerick’ event held at Dance Limerick, John’s Square, during the President’s visit to Limerick, Mr Higgins praised the work of this strand of City of Culture and its participants saying he was “very glad to have received the opportunity to meet the activists associated with some of those projects that form part of the Made in Limerick initiative; an initiative which will, of course, ensure that this significant year of creativity here in Limerick will leave a strong and lasting legacy that can be enjoyed for many years to come.”
Sole patron to Limerick National City of Culture 2014, Michael D. and wife Sabina had previously that morning visited Culture House to meet the City of Culture team and board where they were presented with handmade Limerick gifts from the Limerick Craft Hub. Following that, President Higgins received the Freedom of Limerick at a formal conferring ceremony by Limerick City and County Council in Limerick’s Milk Market.
The President was impressed with the extensive list of projects within the Made in Limerick strand, and their ability to positively effect our communities, commenting, “The 109 projects which have been awarded funding by the Made in Limerick initiative remind us of the many ways in which a community can embrace and use the arts in order to acknowledge and pursue its own cultural identity. It was indeed very inspiring to read the list of successful projects and see such varied and innovative artistic endeavours, all developed through a real desire to facilitate individual and community expression through art.
“Some initiatives have brought the arts out of the theatres, galleries, and concert halls, and into the streets and villages and communities of Limerick, placing culture right at the heart of society. Others have focussed on reconnecting citizens with their past through re-enacting significant historical events, exploring Limerick’s splendid archaeology, and examining the critical subject of genealogy.
“Several projects introduce Limerick’s young citizens to the joys of theatre and music and film, encouraging them to engage with, and make their own contribution to, this important year of culture.”
President Higgins met with representatives from four projects who shared some of the detail of their projects with him. These were the Georgian Pop Up Museum, Are You Dancing, Particles or Waves, and Noye’s Fludde.
“I am very inspired by the imaginative ways in which so many of the projects demonstrate a real understanding of the importance of constantly striving to re-invent, re-imagine and re-interpret in order to ensure that the Arts remain relevant in an ever evolving society” the President added.
He finished by saying, “I commend and thank you all for your recognition of the vital role that arts and culture play in producing dynamic, creative and reflective societies – the kind of societies which we wish to inhabit, contribute to and flourish in.”