It’s bigger, it’s bolder, it’s Letterkenny Culture Night 2011, with over 40 free events at 22 venues around the town, and it takes place on Friday night next, September 23rd. County Arts Officer Traolach Ó Fionnáin says it’s the third year in a row for Donegal to take part in this national evening of free events, which is fast becoming a major date on the county’s cultural calendar.
Highlights include Loinnir’s spectacular illuminated night-time sculptures, Open Recording Studio with award-winning Irish DJs Timmy and Tommy, international song, dance and food, a travelling exhibition on Irish Traditional Music, and an exhibition by Derry artist Locky Morris – best known in Donegal for his large-scale public art works, such as Polestar in Letterkenny.
As well as exhibitions, Culture Night includes, music, dance, workshops, walking tours, sculpture trails, readings, and theatre. “This year we also now have Derry, Letterkenny town itself and An Gaeltacht all taking part in Culture Night activities, so we can showcase the creative enterprises that make up our vibrant cultural sector across this entire region,” says Traolach Ó Fionnáin.
“This is particularly important in the run up to Derry’s City of Culture 2012, which can bring these enterprises to a huge new audience. This year we are also coinciding with Letterkenny 400 and it’s a great opportunity for Donegal County Council to work with the Town Council and to contribute to this major celebration.”
Letterkenny Mayor Gerry McMonagle says Culture Night again offers the opportunity to highlight the vast array of cultural options within the town. “The emphasis on free events and family friendly access ties in with the ethos behind events held earlier in the year during the Letterkenny 400 commemorations”.
Letterkenny 400 was planned to mark commemorations surrounding the history of the town through coordinating a series of historic events over the June Bank holiday weekend that focused on the theme of family friendly entertainment. The events were organised in association with local community groups and representatives as well as the Donegal County Museum, An Grianán theatre and the Donegal County Library.
Culture Night is an initiative co-ordinated by Temple Bar Cultural Trust and supported by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in partnership with Donegal County Council and Letterkenny Town Council. Culture Night in Letterkenny is co-ordinated by Donegal County Council Cultural Services Department and presented in association with Letterkenny Town Council.
Media queries to: Trish Hegarty, Inis Communications on +353 86 1740057.