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Cultural Policy

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 March 2013

Wednesday, 13 March 2013

Questions (117, 118, 119, 121)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

117. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which he expects to host international events of a cultural or heritage nature with a view to the awarding of such opportunities to promote Irish heritage and culture abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13357/13]

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Bernard Durkan

Question:

118. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the degree to which he and or his Department can avail of international cultural events to promote Irelands heritage and culture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13358/13]

View answer

Bernard Durkan

Question:

119. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plan for the promotion of Ireland's heritage and culture globally in the course of 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13359/13]

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Bernard Durkan

Question:

121. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which he has had discussions with overseas emigrants or representative groups in the context of promoting the concept of national identity through the aegis of culture and heritage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13361/13]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 117 to 119, inclusive, and 121 together.

My Department, through its Culture Ireland Programme, promotes Irish arts and culture worldwide through regular grant rounds and through special initiatives. For the first six months of 2013, to mark Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU, my Department has put in place an extensive programme – Culture Connects - embracing all Member States and some significant third countries. This programme, which has had a very successful two months to date, will include over 400 events taking place across all Member States of the European Union.

The high profile events which have been launched include:

- 'Changing States' in Brussels, an exhibition of twenty of Ireland's strongest emerging visual artists and Francis Bacon in the high profile Beaux Arts Gallery.

- An exhibition of the work of Eileen Gray in Centre Pompidou, which is expected to be seen by around 500,000 visitors and to help cross-promote contemporary Irish design.

- Extensive theatre tours to sell-out houses are ongoing, including 'WATT' at the Barbican in London and Brokentalkers 'Blue Boy' at various cities across Europe.

- For the duration of Ireland's Presidency, an exhibition of Irish craft and artwork involving cutting-edge technology is being presented in the Council Headquarters in Brussels.

In January of this year, my Department supported a delegation of key theatre, dance and music practitioners to attend the Association of Performing Arts Presenters Conference (APAP) 2013, as part of an Irish Government trade and promotional mission for the performing arts. This is a key target market for Irish artists and is of strategic importance in the development of US Irish cultural relations. Reports to date are very positive for future tour bookings for 2013/2014 for the Irish artists and delegates who were part of the delegation.

My Department, through the Culture Ireland programme, continues to support Irish artists in presenting work at strategic international festivals, venues and showcases, building touring networks and contacts, including with overseas emigrant or representative groups, where appropriate. It also continues to work on a cross-agency basis on key initiatives of joint interest and, over the St Patrick’s Day period, for example, is supporting more than 60 events across Europe, the US, China, Russia and Australia.

Other activities to be supported this year through the Culture Ireland Programme include:

- WOMEX, the World Music Expo, in Cardiff in October in a partnership sharing showcasing and networking opportunities for Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland;

- a showcase at the Edinburgh Festivals in August, which will offer audiences and promoters a snapshot of the diverse and exciting new theatre work being created in Ireland; and

- support, in partnership with the Arts Council, for Ireland's participation in the 55th International Venice Art Biennale 2013.

I am satisfied that my Department's international promotion of Irish arts has created significant goodwill and influence for Ireland and has helped to contribute to the strength of Ireland's reputation for creative excellence.

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