Culture Night invites everyone, everywhere on one joyful night to discover and celebrate all that our culture is today.
With a rich and diverse programme of thousands of events that span layers of arts and culture from architecture to comedy, circus to dance, film to literature, museums to music, heritage to sport and science to fashion, to name but a few….Culture Night / Oíche Chultúir 2021 will take place on Friday, 17th September.
This national ‘moment’ connects everyone to cultural activities locally and nationally. Culture Night is brought to you by the Arts Council in partnership with local authorities and cultural organisations throughout the island of Ireland and puts a spotlight on the quality and breadth of Ireland’s existing cultural offerings and institutions.
This year, as part of the work of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce, the Arts Council is piloting a number of late night events around the country to support the development of a more vibrant and sustainable night-time economy. These events are taking place in Dublin, Cork and Galway.
Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD said “I would like to thank all of those arts and cultural organisations, institutions and individuals involved in Culture Night. Every year this wonderful evening of festivities gets bigger and brighter and organisers have met the challenges posed by public health restrictions head on by developing an innovative and accessible programme. It is a true celebration of culture in all its forms and I was delighted this year to provide some extra support so that there will be some later night events taking place around the country as part of the work of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce. I welcome this inclusion and hope to see more of this in the future.”
Local Authorities across the country are fundamental to the success of Culture Night. This year in particular they have produced pioneering and innovative programmes that are layered mix of indoor and outdoor activities with visitor safety paramount and ensuring adherence to government COVID-19 guidelines. Programmes reflect diversity and inclusion through the celebration of creative communities, both new and established and respects and supports the inclusion of all voices and cultures that make up Ireland today, from all social backgrounds, ethnicities and traditions.
Maureen Kennelly, Arts Council Director said “Culture Night is an important shared moment in our cultural calendars and, in its stewardship role, the Arts Council is delighted to bring together its sixteenth edition, which will take place right across the island and internationally. To come together again, in our communities and in our cultural organisations, to celebrate all that makes up the richness and diversity of culture in Ireland today, is an important shared collective experience and especially so at this time. As we continue to emerge from the pandemic, this one joyful night is a celebration, a discovery and a reminder of cultural and creative experiences that continue to be available to us year round.”
Highlights include; a virtual tour of Leinster House, gaining unique access to discover the history of Parliament in Ireland, from Norman times to today. Witness its restoration to former glory and enjoy hidden treasures found during restoration; explore the
outdoor exhibition of images captured by residents of Marian Hostel, A Direct Provision Centre in Tullamore, reflecting themes of identity, current circumstances and new horizons that were facilitated through workshops with visual artist and activist Vukasin Nedelikovick; Circus Factory Presents “Pitch’d Circus and Street Arts Festival” a pop up show celebrating circus, the human body and the bicycle in Cork; Check out Poetry Town, a new all-island initiative from Poetry Ireland, which will see a series of free poetry-related activities take place in 20 towns across Ireland; Limerick City and County will host a number of live outdoor Cultural Hubs where audiences can pre-book into live music, literature, art and food themed evenings in some of the city’s most iconic cultural outdoor spaces – the Milk Market, The Hunt Museum and King John’s Castle; All are welcomed to Dundalk Library Garden for an evening of stories at Scéalaíocht do Theaghlaigh le Seosamh Ó Maolalaí who is sure to captivate with a blend of traditional Irish tales and stories, suitable for fluent Gaeilgeoirí, foghlaimeoirí/learners, tosaitheoirí/beginners, or people who are completely new to Irish! At The Castle, is a stunning film by Emma Brennan, projected onto the walls of the atmospheric ruins of Roscommon Castle, portraying a new dance piece performed and choreographed by Mintesinot Wolde. Live dance and music performances will take place on the night on the Castle grounds and at the amphitheatre of Loughnaneane Park. A spectacle of visuals and lighting will be projected on the walls by Algorithm Productions from dusk until midnight.
RTÉ once again partners with Culture Night to bring specially commissioned performances and themed programming and reports across the evening, with a few surprises along the way. On television, RTÉ One will celebrate with a special edition of Nationwide, joining up with arts groups and communities around the country to see just what they’re planning. As the country comes together once again to celebrate arts and culture – both in-person and virtual – the Nationwide Culture Night Special will bring stories of ambition, persistence and joy from arts communities who have struggled and triumphed in the last year, along with highlights from their Culture Night plans. Later in the evening, The Late Late Show will celebrate Culture Night with a specially commissioned opening performance. As usual, rte.ie/culture will provide a wealth of content to mark Culture Night 2021.
Celebrating the values of Openness, Discovery, Celebration & Belonging Culture Night / Oíche Chultúir 2021 is brought to you by the Arts Council, in partnership with local authorities and cultural organisations throughout the island of Ireland and thanks to their continued support all activities are free. Annually it spans a range of culture, arts, heritage, education, hospitality, tourism, health and commercial and corporate enterprise. A broad expanse of people, organisations and venues help make it happen each year including artists, performing groups, galleries, museums, sports clubs, libraries, arts centres, craft workers, studios and workshops, theatres, schools, community groups, local authorities, government departments, state agencies and public bodies, transport companies, universities, shops and many more.
For more information on Culture Night check out culturenight.ie or join the conversation on social media channels at Culture Night Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and TikTok.
