Cork celebrates becoming culture capital

President Mary McAleese officially unveiled Cork’s tenure as European Capital of Culture today as 85,000 people poured into the city to mark the historic year.

The president was joined by ambassadors and citizens from across the European Union for the official opening ceremony, as the street carnival erupted across the southern city.

Mrs McAleese, who jokingly referred to Cork as the “real” republic, said this was pay back time for the city hosting many international cultural events and claimed it was a vindication of its legendary people including short story writer Frank O’Connor.

“This wonderful accolade for Cork is a recognition for Cork, is a recognition of her people,” she said. The president said hosting the European city of Culture programme was “a formidable task” but it would immensely enrich the city.

Ireland’s Arts Minister John O’Donoghue said: “Cork’s cultural heritage is distinctive on the Irish tapestry.”

Mr O’Donoghue said Cork’s “cultural genius” had found itself in men like writer Niall Tobin, former president Jack Lynch and sportsman Christy Ring.

A rhythmic musical drama, Red Sun, by 100 young performers from Cork’s Children’s Chorus cast colour to the ceremony in the City Hall.

John Kennedy, Director of Cork 2005, said Ireland’s culture is changing.

“In devising a programme of activities that would do justice to both Cork and to the designation of European Capital of Culture, we have had to take into account the changing nature of life on the island,” he told the packed City Hall.

The programme for Cork’s tenure as European Capital of Culture over the next 12 months contains over 200 official projects and it was given capital funding of €191m for renovation and events, €15m from Cork City Council and the Government and €500,000 from the EU.

Tony Sheehan, a programme director, for Cork 2005, said: “The real thing about the programme is there is a spectrum of events from the very small to the very large.”

Revellers travelled from all across the country and Europe to see the vast street theatre and the enormous fireworks spectacle along the banks of the River Lee.

Hundreds of street performers from all over the world brought Cork to life as part of their awakening ceremony.

There were ten individual carnival stages located throughout the city centre, which is on the south coast of Ireland, including fire-eaters, circus acts, Irish samba bands and massive puppets.

The awakening ceremony also includes a 3.5 ton fireworks display with the theme based on the ancient myths that the River Lee was formed by the gorging tail of a giant serpent defeated in battle.

Street theatre company, Waterford Spraoi, were creating Ireland’s first large scale river spectacle involving the amazing feat of a 600 yard serpent rising from the River Lee.

The programme Director, Mr Sheehan, said every event during the entire year from small community projects to large-scale theatre were given time and attention.

As the hundreds of event took place, he said: “Cork has made its own of the designation.

“We’re a city on the edge of Europe but we have so much to say about the centre of Europe.”

He said Cork was gearing up for an onslaught of visitors during the year, with people from all over the country and many from Europe attending.

“Lonely Planet (travel guide) have listed Cork as the third best city in the world to visit in 2005 because of the Capital of Culture,” he said.