Twin celebration as little fighters light up city
Snuggled up in matching furry white teddy-bear fleece suits, and cradled in the arms of their parents, Angie and Azzedine, the twins were the guests of honour as their family flicked the “big switch” to officially open the city’s expanded Christmas Celebration on the Grand Parade, which is supported by Bord Gáis Energy.
And then accompanied by the Band of the First Southern Command, the people of Cork sang “Happy Birthday” to the boys, who will celebrate their first birthday on Thursday.
Bord Gáis chief executive John Mullins said the twins, who were born conjoined last December and separated last April, have captivated the nation. “It is the best of all stories,” he said.
Angie said they have done amazingly well in a very short space of time.
“It’s a miracle we have them with us. Last Christmas, as we faced into the birth, things looked so bleak,” she said.
“It was a million to one chance they’d survive. We are just so blessed to have all four kids with us for this Christmas.”
This is the fourth year of the Christmas Celebration on the Grand Parade.
Last year, an estimated 120,000 people visited the site.
This year, the festival has been extended by three days, and will run every weekend, right up to December 22.
It features a Christmas food and craft market, a winter-wonderland for children and a spectacular Santa village at the former Beamish & Crawford Brewery site.
The Cork City Council-run event was recently named the Festival of the Year by Chamber Ireland’s Local Government Excellence Awards.
Over 50 food and craft stalls will be set up on the Grand Parade. While most of the focus is on local artisan food producers, there will also be stalls featuring produce from Poland, Tunisia, Morocco, France, Japan, the Caribbean, Israel, Australia, and England.
Bishop Lucey Park has been transformed into a winter wonderland by Peter Kelly from Weddings by Franc, complete with festive lights, atmospheric music and bubble machines.
The theme of the park is Rockin’ Robin and “robins’ nests” have been dotted around the park for children to post their letters to Santa. Also, organisers have built Santa’s secret village across the road at the Beamish site.
Visitors to the village will pay €2 and will be greeted by elves, and walk past snow-covered trees, before walking along a lit walkway to meet Santa.
A carol concert will also take place on the Grand Parade at 5pm on December 12 featuring a special performance by the choir from Presentation Secondary School in Ballyphehane — the All-Island School Choir Competition winners.
City manager Tim Lucey said the city council is proud of its involvement in the festival.
“Events such as this are economic drivers and fulfil an important social and cultural role,” he said.
“We are maximising the benefits to the city of the substantial investment in the public realm which has been made in recent years.”
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
