Why silence critics of the City of Culture?

I WAS fascinated by the letter (Irish Examiner, June 14) from my esteemed neighbour Mairín Quill, who has done so much good work for the arts in Cork.

However, I am concerned at her implication that letters from visitors critical of Cork 2005 should not be published in the media.

Surely debate, response and engagement are central to cultural formation? Can anyone explain the merit of The Knitting Map located in St Luke’s Church, and receiving significant funding from Cork 2005?

Is everything that allies craft, community and technology worthy per se? What about the wonderful women who do such skilled knitting voluntarily?

If the aesthetic merit of the ‘map’ is not apparent to a contemporary viewer like me, will future feminists and /or historians see these generous knitters as exploited or honoured by concepts of partaking in history?

What are the criterion by which this project is judged, funded, enjoyed? How appropriate is voluntary work in the context of a highly funded project?

What are the hierarchies at play here - other citizens and cultural practitioners may long for debate on other projects. Without debate, culture can be a solely commercial commodity with vested interests.

Vera Ryan

4 Hackett’s Terrace

Cork