Festival Of World Cultures 2008

PERFORMANCES & SPECIAL EVENTS
CAFES, FAIRS & MARKETS
WORKSHOPS
EXHIBITIONS & DIALOGUE

About the Festival

“Indigenous to classical, digital, folk, eclectic and tribal, the Festival of World Cultures presents a kaleidoscopic programme of concerts & club nights, fairs & markets, perfomances, street events, workshops and so much more.…..Ireland’s first Global Carnival!”

The Festival is committed to presenting a series of world music concerts that can be experienced by all in a unique and intimate local setting while also offering a 'passport to the world' programme of events, many of which are free to all.

Staged throughout the historic port town of Dún Laoghaire, the Festival of World Cultures is an annual international arts festival celebrating cultural diversity. The festival is held in late August, coinciding with the UK bank holiday weekend. 2009: Friday 28th – Sunday 30th August / 2010: Friday 27th – Sunday 29th August.

Through a policy of partnership and participation the Festival undertakes to focus on developing new community audiences, and to provide accessible performances and activities for all ages.

Our Ethos

“Excite, inform, and create awareness of the worth and potential of a multicultural society.”

The Festival of World Cultures aims to enhance artistic expression and integration of Ireland's newer communities by providing a platform for intercultural creative exchange and dialogue.

We aim to expand the arts experience and broaden perceptions of culture, enabling audiences to participate and contribute more fully into the contemporary life of Ireland.

Crossing cultural, ethnic, religious and social bridges the Festival aims to build a positive public response to integration, nurturing respect for diversity through the arts and entertainment.

The Producers

As a response to the changing demographic of Ireland and to commemorate the millennium, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council initiated the annual Festival of World Cultures in 2001. The Festival reflected not only the enhanced role of the local authority but fully embraced the brief of building communities.

The Festival of World Cultures office operates within the Department of Culture, Community, Development and Amenities (CCDA) of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, alongside the Arts Office and DLR Events.

Arts Office

The work of the Arts Office is regarded as exemplary within local authority arts development in Ireland. The Arts Office produce, amongst others, the International Poetry Now Festival, Dublin Youth Dance Festival and The Concourse Installation Programme. The office has also nurtured the building developments of the Grainstore Youth Arts Centre, Pavilion Theatre and Dance Theatre of Ireland studio at Bloomfields.

Arts Office: Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council

DLR Events

DLR Events presents an annual programme of family events throughout the County, including Recharge Festival, Go Skate, Halloween Parade, Heritage Week, Teddy Bear’s Picnic, Movies in the Park, plus much more.

DLR Events: www.dlrevents.ie