Tóibín and Leonard to feature in Kilkenny Arts Festival

INTERNATIONALLY acclaimed Irish author Colm Tóibín and renowned violinist Catherine Leonard are two of the high-profile acts lined up for the 34th Kilkenny Arts Festival.

This year’s event kicks off in early August and offers a 10-day feast of music, theatre, dance, art, literature and children’s events.

The festival was launched in central Dublin with contemporary dancers Sara Rudner and Anneke Hansen showcasing a sample of the programme’s highlights.

“The Kilkenny Arts Festival, now in its 34th year, has long been celebrated for its unerring commitment to artistic excellence and innovation, and has, over the years, presented numerous magnificent performances across all artistic disciplines, delivering engaging, thought-provoking and entertaining experiences for the wonderful Kilkenny audiences,” a festival spokeswoman said.

“The 2007 festival continues with the overwhelmingly successful curator model, which will see some of Ireland’s most accomplished arts practitioners present a wonderful mix of music, theatre, dance, art, literature and children’s events.”

Festival highlights include the inaugural Hubert Butler lecture by Pulitzer Prize- winning Samantha Power, the world premiere of Lee Breuer’s A Prelude to a Death in Venice, and the Irish debut of American cellist Ani Aznavoorian.

Kilkenny city will come alive for the festival, with free outdoor theatre performed by Polish company Theatr Osmego Dnia staging The Ark, and productions from Belgian aerial theatre company Compagnie du Mirador.

As well as classical music, the festival will showcase the best in international and Irish music.

Highlights include jazz from the Norwegian Tord Gustavsen Trio; singer Fay Claassen, from the Netherlands; and jazz/folk singer Eivor Palsdottir, from the Faroe Islands.

The festival runs from August 10 to 19.