Arts Life - Joya Kuin Festival Manager, Cork International Choral Festival

Joya Kuin

What I do: Festival Manager, Cork International Choral Festival

Favourite café: Café at the Cork Opera House

Current listening: Abigail Washburn and Béla Fleck

The last gig I attended: Smokey Lafarge and the South City Three playing some proper old-time American music.

The last book I read: Stieg Larsson’s Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

My last trip to the theatre: Beauty and the Beast (The Adult Panto).

The last exhibition I attended: Tom Campbell’s Art Exhibition at Sample Studios in Cork.

My favourite film: It’s very difficult to answer this question as I’m not a great fan of film. My attention can be very fleeting when it comes to screens …

My favourite writer/artist/musician: Noam Chomsky/Van Gogh/Stevie Nicks.

My favourite work of art: Too many to mention!

My favourite venue: I love the Crane Lane Theatre in Cork – simply because it’s the perfect size for an intimate gig.

The writer/artist/musician I would most like to meet: Björk – she seems like an amazing person.

Bio: Joya is from Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and has been living in Ireland for five and a half years. She has been involved in many different arts events throughout her time here and this year will be her sixth Cork International Choral Festival.

Upcoming event: The Cork International Choral Festival is just around the corner, running May 2-6. This year’s programme covers many spheres of vocal music from around the world, from classical and spiritual to folk, jazz and contemporary styles. It’s a very eclectic mix, so really worth experimenting with, and there’s lots of free events on the Choral Trail and Festival Fringe that make it all very accessible. For something truly unique, however, the Opening Gala on Wednesday May 2 — Mozart’s ‘Requiem’ — will be epic, and the late night ‘Evocations’ Gala on Friday, May 4 never fails to create a truly memorable atmosphere. Further information: www.corkchoral.ie

Interview: Marc O’Sullivan