Visitors felt hoaxed by the City of Culture

WE flew to Cork over the May bank holiday weekend intending to enjoy the European Capital of Culture programme. However, we were horrified by what we found and feel we have fallen for an elaborate hoax.

1. Apart from the Choral Festival, which apparently takes place every year anyway, the only ‘culture’ was the booze culture epitomised by three huge signs over the city: ‘A Real Head for Culture’- Murphy’s Beer; ‘Here’s to the Cultural Revolution’- Heineken; ‘Here’s to the Real Capital’- Budweiser.

2. The streets were filthy; the Glucksman and Crawford galleries and the museum in Fitzgerald’s Park were all closed. Apparently it is the custom to close these facilities during public holidays, ie, just when people actually have the time to visit them.

3. There was no artistic/cultural activity whatsoever on the streets and we discovered that the gardaí actually harass and arrest local artists who show their work without licenses, which are unobtainable. Incredibly, the city passed by-laws making it a criminal offence for artists to display their work - and this is the European Capital of Culture!

It is a scandalous charade. Can the people behind it be identified and called to account?

Brendan Nee

34 Bellevue Gardens

Brighton

Sussex Bn22AA

England