The tenth Festival of World Cultures has just taken place and we’d like your views to help us in shaping the Festival for coming years. We’ve set up an online survey and all respondents before September 10th will be entered in a prize draw for an Apple iTouch. Your input is important to us!

Hard copy surveys are also available from DLR Libraries and Information Desks in County Hall and Dundrum Local Office.

To complete the online survey just click here… (the survey is now closed, thanks for your feedback!)

Friday was officially launched with our latest initiative Radio Hemisphere, the Festival’s very own Internet Radio Station. The ‘cherry on top of this year’s programme’ surpassed all expectations, reaching far beyond the highest online Irish radio listenership that weekend. Friday night’s highlights featured the outstanding Astrid Hadad who had audiences in the palm of her hand, mesmerised by her outrageous costumes, they gave her a euphoric standing ovation worthy of the Queen of Cabaret. Down at Monksstown Church, the exquisite stained glass windows illuminated four exceptional vocalists, Iarla Ó Lionáird, Adjágas and Tanya Tagaq, who had met only the day before for the very first time. This stunning collaboration, an indigenous adventure from tenderness (with tears) to laughter (bird song) and wilderness, was an extraordinary artistic bonding both on and off the stage.

Exploding onto the streets in equal measure, Saturday and Sunday offered 32 hours of celebration. As you wandered through the site, the thoroughfare was a sea of happy faces – all cultures, all ages, families, old friends and like-minded people who converged to celebrate life, art and diversity.

Starting at the Festival gates, the Harbour Plaza, hosting Trade Routes, was like a scene from a Beatles movie with children and adults screaming with hands in the air, begging to be selected by performance art hair sculptors Osadia. Susan Leen’s interactive Sustainability Artcube was a stunning piece of work, delicate and provocative, while Redress transformed their space into a fabric graffiti jungle using dozens of old pairs of jeans for bunting.

Down to the Carlisle Pier, the new location for Global Village, where An Cathaoirlach, Lettie McCarthy, joined Lama Nyendek and Monks from Drepung Loseling Monastery in a chant to bless our latest community project Faith Space. Following an overwhelming response to The International Charter for Compassion, the ‘Compassion Tree’ purblic murals created over the weekend will be displayed in Country Hall shortly to announce Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council’s endorsement of the Charter.

Stopping off throughout the day at the Kingston Station, aka collaboration central, was a must for all music lovers, an exhilarating artistic space that featured some of the best traditional Irish musicians. Colin Dunne dancing to Najob Soudani and Trasna, Donal Lunny with Buille, Ttukunak with Mel Mercier and an unforgettable Adjágas collaboration with a star studded line-up including Cathy Jordan, Máirtín O’Connor and Diarmuid & Donnacha Moynihan.

100 yards away, the People’s Park, bejewelled and adorned, hosted our Asian Mela and the Afro Caribbean Birthday Bloco which featured a glorious Carnival procession of over 200 artists that meandered its way throughout the streets on Sunday. Alongside Park Road, the highly anticipated interactive Astillas exhibition presented creator Eltono wit han array of new ideas from the compositions that participants made, and Fiona Larkin’s Postcards from India resulted in hundreds of postcards with positive messages to and about the Festival.

Down to the Main Stage, and this year collaborations were a focal point, all of them flourished beyond expectations. Najib Soudani Group and La Banda del Surdo (Main Stage, Sunday) were instant soulmates, having discovered an immediate Moroccan-Spanish resonance, a traditional connection that led to a crackling show. While back up to the Pavilion Theatre, Pól Brennan, Ayub Ogada and Guo Yue overcame a fire in the gym beneath the complex to put on one of the most talked about shows of the weekend.

Four exceptional headline main stage concerts drew the crowds and got them dancing. Calypso Rose, Mahala Raï Banda, Khaled, and of course the exceptional Rokia Traoré… sure where else would you have been this Festival weekend other than Dún Laoghaire?

Adios and thank you

It is with humble and heartfelt thanks to the Family, Artists, Partners and Audiences who have participated in the last 10 years, that I take this timely opportunity to step down as Artistic Director of the dlr Festival of World Cultures. It has been a kaleidoscopic journey and an honour to have been part of this unique and visionary community movement.

The Festival Family – the team who put the Festival together – are an exceptional gathering of people. So many to acknowledge over the 10 years, but “10 High Fives” have to go to the following for the Festival weekend: All the Volunteers, the Cleansing Fairies, the Riders Tribe, Magnum Events, Mary Hickson, Production and Technical teams, Marketing and Programming teams and everyone listed in the staff credits. We would like to extend our greatest thanks to Superintendent Martin Fitzgerald, Inspector Bill Wilde, Sergeant Paul Roche and all of the Gardaí in Dún Laoghaire for their comprehensive and well thought out approach to combating alcohol on the streets – allowing people of all ages, faiths and cultures to enjoy the Festival.

Special thanks to our General ‘Fountain of Knowledge’ Manager Olga Barry who is shortly moving to RTÉ and Jane Davy Programme Manager Extraordinaire 03-10, who for the past 8 years has also sacrificed her social life to help co-create Ireland’s best loved intercultural celebration.

It’s been a spectacular journey – here’s to the next 10 years!

Jody Ackland
Artistic Director 2001-201o

The whole town was transformed as markets, stages and performance tents sprung up across the Festival site.  Weird and wonderful Surreal hair styling could be spotted in the crowds, courtesy of  the fantastic Osadia who raised the bar with their stunning hair sculptures.

Its hard to choose highlights as  every corner of the town hosted a diverse range of art, installations and musicians from across the globe.

The much anticipated Irtish Debut of Khaled the  ’King of Rai’ wooed the Newtownsmith Main Stages. Audiences there had experience an exhilarating day of world music  which also included the foot stomping Mahala Rai Banda, Kerekes Band and Mdungu.

The Kingston hotel was a haven for trad lovers, with a definite  highlight being the Departures Lounge: World Music Interchange.

Once again the Mela transported a little bit of South Asia into the peoples park where Kawa Circus and Yakshagana among many many more entertained the crowds.  A perfect family fun filled zone.

We could keep going but why keep you here….. get going and head down to check out the exciting Sunday programme of events!

Weather is looking promising, the sun is peeking through.  Be prepared, bring Sunscreen, avoid queues by using an ATM en-route and please remember that drinking alcohol in public space is forbidden.

Combined with all the practical information you need for your Festival experience, as well as hints and tips on safe and responsible behaviour, our mobile site is brought to you in partnership with drinkaware.ie . So log on and have fun! m.festivalofworldcultures.com

Limited numbers of tickets are available to our other events, so ensure you book soon to avoid unnecessary disappointment.

Beacon South Quarter is Ireland’s first specialised interiors and leisure retail centre. Located in Sandyford, Co. Dublin, the Centre is home to top International and Irish interiors, leisure and restaurant retailers as well as Ireland’s first children’s museum, Imaginosity.

Dún Laoghaire Art Gallery at Brian S Nolan is a dynamic enterprise in the furnishing world. An exceptional range of furnishing products and expert services, combined with regular exhibitions and events, all in one magnificent heritage building in Dún Laoghaire.

Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel is the epitome of elegance on the South Dublin Coast. The 18th Century 4 Star Hotel offers opulence and tranquility within breathtaking surroundings overlooking Dublin Bay.

Hartley’s Restaurant. Housed in a handsome cut-stone listed building (once the Kingstown train terminal, and a treat for railway buffs), Hartley’s sits elegantly overlooking Dun Laoghaire’s modern harbour, serving some of the finest food and wine in the county.

The Hindu Cultural Centre Ireland keeps a connection alive between Hindu heritage, ethnicity, and history. The Centre celebrates and cherishes the Hindu identity in Ireland.

The Mexican Folkloric Dance Company is Chicago’s oldest Mexican dance institution and has received countless recognitions and awards, including performing for three presidents and representing Mexico in the 1994 USA World Cup opening ceremony.

Poppies Café opened it’s first branch in Enniskerry County Wicklow In 1982 and recently opened a second branch in Dún Laoghaire. It is a favourite destination of those who love tasty and wholesome country cooking.

The Punjab Balti has been serving authentic Punjabi cuisine for over 14 years, becoming one of Dublin’s biggest culinary success stories and winning recognition from major newspapers and magazines for its high quality food, ambience and service.

Sooner Than Later is a nationwide distribution solution and mailing service company. The business was established in 1982 to meet the needs of Irish industry and has responded to changes in both Irish distribution and mailing needs over the years.

The Flower Boutique Dublin is the most unique online flower shop, where you will be able to browse through a selection of fresh flower arrangements, gifts, wedding flowers and more.

For thirty years now the Purty Loft in Dun Laoghaire has been one of the most iconic music venues not only in the town itself, but in the Dublin area in general. There have been many historic Festival experiences in this intimate venue up the stairs from the Purty Kitchen.

Zoetrope is an arts PR and Marketing company run by director Nik Quaife that delivers comprehensive, strategic media, PR and marketing campaigns.

We would also like to sincerely thank Conor Martin for all of his support this year and over the years.

Would you or your business like to become an Official 10th Anniversary Festival Patron? More information here.

For any Amiina fans who missed out we strongly recommend the equally brilliant Orchestre Poly Rythmo de Cotonou (Saturday) or Jah Wobble and the Nippon Dub Ensemble (Sunday). Limited numbers of tickets are available to our other events, so ensure you book soon to avoid unnecessary disappointment.

We will be meeting at The Archer Statue, Newtownsmith Green on Friday 23rd at 9.30am. Participants are requested to wear block colour on top; in yellow, pink, orange, red or purple.

If you’d like to get involved, register at marketing@fwc.ie

We look forward to seeing you!

You can check out Spin Europe’s Vimeo Channel here.