Simthsonian legacy lives on says Poots

Arts Minister Edwin Poots MLA has launched ‘Over Here’, a five-day arts festival which will take place from 10 -14 March 2008 in Belfast and beyond.

Organised by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, 'Over Here' is a mini festival of American arts and artists visiting Northern Ireland on a cultural exchange.

Welcoming the participants of the ‘Over Here’ festival to Parliament Buildings today, the Minister said: “For five months last year the US enjoyed a feast of Northern Ireland arts and cultural events in Washington DC through the Rediscover Northern Ireland programme and at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

“Our artists and arts organisations formed strong partnerships with people in the US through both programmes and the ‘Over Here’ festival aims to ensure we build and extend those relationships.”

Artists, musicians, poets and dancers from America will take part in the 11 events that go to make up the mini festival. Most of the events will be in Belfast but venues in Londonderry and Downpatrick will also feature.

The Minister continued: “Through the legacy of the Rediscover programme and Folklife Festival we can continue to exchange ideas, cultures, history and future with our friends in the US. Having a healthy arts sector makes us a more attractive region and is a strong plus point for Northern Ireland when international investors are selecting investment locations.”

Speaking at the launch, Rosemary Kelly, Chairman of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, commented: "Over Here has been a truly collaborative effort with colleagues from Washington DC We welcome this great opportunity to build on the Rediscover Northern Ireland and Smithsonian legacy which promotes Northern Ireland's arts and culture on the world stage. Art is an essential part of our lives, and this creative programme offers events that stimulate and inspire the imagination of everyone involved."

Notes to Editors:

1. Northern Ireland’s arts organisations have partnered with some of their American counterparts to produce a creative programme of 11 major events.
2. Events include photography, poetry, dance, music and film and include Anacostia to Belfast at Belfast Exposed Gallery; Washington Opera Masterclasses at the Down Arts Centre, Downpatrick and the Grand Opera House Belfast; and American Poets Abroad at the Verbal Arts Centre, Londonderry, University of Ulster, Coleraine and Queen’s University, Belfast.
3. During the Rediscover Northern Ireland programme, over 60 arts and cultural events took place in venues throughout Washington DC, starting on St Patrick’s Day 2007 and culminating in the Smithsonian Folklife Festival from 27 June – 8 July on Washington’s National Mall.
4. Throughout the 10-day Folklife Festival, 160 people represented Northern Ireland and showcased the region’s diverse and contemporary culture to over one million visitors.
5. The ‘Over Here’ programme details are available from 4 March on the Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s website. Media enquiries should be addressed to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure Press Office Tel (028) 9025 8901 or email press.office@dcalni.gov.uk Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.