Belleek are showing their master-skills in pottery and painting in Washington while Ulster Carpets are designing carpets and allowing onlookers to input into the final design.
Arts and Culture Minister Edwin Poots, MLA who attended the Festival said: “This is a great opportunity for Northern Ireland to showcase both the traditional and modern trades from our region. Carpet design, pottery making, linen manufacture, whiskey distilling and call centres skills are among the varied trade activities on display at the Festival.”
Around 160 people from Northern Ireland are participating in the Festival from 27 June – 8 July which aims to tell the American visitors about Northern Ireland’s contemporary culture.
Bushmills have brought with them a 7ft copper still and liquor safe to show the different stages in the production of Northern Ireland’s famous tipple. Participants will be able to smell woods and various ages of whiskey as well as see the processes involved in making Bushmills.
Harland and Wolff are demonstrating underwater welding skills to over one million visitors to the National Mall and showcasing the technology used in planning and designing ships.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. The 2007 Smithsonian Folklife Festival will feature three programs. In addition to "Northern Ireland at the Smithsonian," other programs are "Mekong River: Connecting Cultures" and "The Roots of Virginia Culture."
The Folklife Festival, inaugurated in 1967, honours people from across the United States and around the world. With about 1 million visitors each year, the Festival unites presenters and performers in the nation's capital to celebrate the diversity of cultural traditions. It is produced by the Smithsonian's Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage.
The Festival's Web site is http://www.folklife.si.edu. The Festival is co-sponsored by the National Park Service.
2. For a full list of those participating in both the Rediscover Northern Ireland programme and the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, please go to www.rediscoverni.com
3. All media enquiries to Jill Heron at DCAL Press Office on 028 90 258917 or email: press.office@dcalni.gov.uk
