Lotto to sponsor Cork 2005 opening ceremony

Awakening, the dramatic opening event on the River Lee on Saturday, January 8, 2005, marking the start of Cork’s year as European Capital of Culture, will be sponsored by An Post National Lottery Company.

The National Lottery/Cork 2005 Awakening Ceremony and Fireworks will be the most daring outdoor performance ever undertaken in Ireland.

It is based on the ancient myth that the River Lee was formed by the gorging tail of a giant serpent defeated in battle by St Finbarr.

Street theatre and spectacle company, Waterford Spraoi, will breathe life back into the legend by recreating the serpent in the river.

Preparation is already well under way for the National Lottery/Cork 2005 Awakening Ceremony and Fireworks, with over 100 performers and technicians working under the direction of Dermot Quinn, artistic director of Spraoi.

Speaking at the announcement of the sponsorship, Ray Bates, National Lottery director, told the Evening Echo: “We are delighted to be associated with this very significant year for Cork.

“The organisers of Cork 2005 have put together a truly impressive and imaginative cultural programme for the city for the year.

“Our role is to make sure that it gets off to a fitting start, by supporting the Awakening celebrations.

“It will be a spectacular beginning to what I’m sure will be a memorable year for Cork.”

John Kennedy, director of Cork 2005, said: “We open this momentous year with an amazing performance on the Lee, which is central to the life of Cork. We welcome the support of the National Lottery as event sponsor for what promises to be a world-class event.

Up to 26,000 people are expected along the city quays for the Awakening ceremony.