Rediscover Northern Ireland Program Highlights the Cultural Diversity and Economic Vitality of Northern Ireland for U.S. Audiences

Four month program to showcase Northern Ireland’s arts & culture, education, tourism, business, and food & beverage industries.

Washington D.C. (PRWEB) March 15, 2007 -- The Northern Ireland Bureau announced today at its annual St. Patrick’s Week event on Capitol Hill, the schedule for Rediscover Northern Ireland, a four-month promotional program taking place at multiple sites throughout Washington, D.C. to raise U.S. awareness of Northern Ireland’s thriving economy, revitalized cities, and unique culture. More than 40 cultural events are scheduled to take place between March and July 2007, highlighting the region’s trade and business, arts and culture, cuisine, tourism, and education. The program is anchored by Northern Ireland’s participation in the Smithsonian Institution’s 2007 Smithsonian Folklife Festival from June 27 to July 8, 2007 on the National Mall, during which approximately 160 of Northern Ireland’s finest musicians, storytellers, cooks, craftspeople, entrepreneurs, sports persons and cultural experts will share with an estimated million festival visitors the living traditions that make and sustain the cultural life of Northern Ireland.

The primary schedule of events from now through July includes:

Resolutions: New Art from Northern Ireland

March

• A photographic exhibit featuring work from the Northern Ireland Press Photographers Association at the National Press Club from March 14-28.
• Trade mission organized by Invest Northern Ireland and featuring Northern Ireland-based businesses to attend FOSE from March 20-22.
• A concert by world renowned composer and pianist Barry Douglas and Camerata Ireland at the Library of Congress on March 23.
• Snow Patrol, a Grammy-nominated band that was recently named best Irish Band of the Year at the Meteor Music Awards in Dublin, will be playing a concert March 23 at the Bender Arena at American University.
• From March 30-April 7, Imagination Stage in Bethesda will feature daily performances from Northern Ireland’s Edge Fest Children’s Theatre.

• “A Shower of Rhyming Couplets” poetry reading at the National Geographic Society on April 18, featuring notable poets from Northern Ireland, including Ciaran Carson, Medbh McGuckian, Paul Muldoon and Michael Longley and introduced by Dana Gioia, Chair of the National Endowment for the Arts.
• “Resolutions: New Art from Northern Ireland,” a contemporary visual arts exhibition, at American University’s Katzen Arts Center from April 24 - July 29.

• A joint Northern Ireland-Washington DC community mural project located in Anacostia from May 5-20.
• A showcase of Northern Ireland’s cuisine and finest chefs at Restaurant Eve on May 22 with music by Harpist Cliona Doris (by invitation only).
• A series of musical lunchtime events at the Library of Congress featuring traditional arts and folk music with John Moulden; Gary Hastings and Brian Mullen; Rosie Stewart; the McPeake Family; and Robert Watt. Dates are May 2, 9, 16, 23, and 29.
• A series of literature events at various sites, including bookstores, Imagination Stage in Bethesda and Busboys and Poets featuring Glenn Patterson, Lucy Caldwell, Owen McCafferty and Dolores Kendrick, Washington, D.C.’s poet laureate, taking place May 16-17.

• A Titanic exhibition at Union Station open to the public from June 25-July 15, highlighting Northern Ireland’s innovation and industrial heritage, and its role in developing the modern, vibrant city of Belfast.
• Northern Ireland will be featured in the 2007 Smithsonian Folklife Festival taking place on the National Mall from June 27- July 8. The programme will include crafts, cookery and sporting demonstrations; occupational traditions featuring workers from local companies; music, dance, storytelling, folk drama and folk art; genealogy and family history; built and environmental heritage; there will also be a food concession featuring a NI inspired menu. Among the featured bands and musicians will be Tommy Sands, Four Men and a Dog, Craobh Rua, and Len Graham. Also demonstrating the work of iconic traditional industries will be 5 companies: Belleek Potteries, Bushmills Whiskey, Harland and Wolff, Thomas Ferguson Irish Linen, and Ulster Carpet Mills.
• A craft exhibition “Made in Northern Ireland: a Dynamic of Change” will be on view in the S Dillon Ripley Center from June 15 – August 31.
• A film festival of Northern Ireland cinema offerings will take place at the American Film Institute in Silver Spring, MD throughout the month of June. Films and dates will be posted on the website in the coming months.

There are a number of additional events and activities taking place, including artist in residency programs at Georgetown University, Catholic University, the Duke Ellington School for the Arts, American University, ARCH Anacostia and various local art galleries. For a full schedule of events, visit the Rediscover Northern Ireland website at www.rediscoverni.com.

About Rediscover Northern Ireland (www.rediscoverni.com)
Rediscover Northern Ireland is a unique collaboration among Northern Ireland government, academic and non-profit organizations, including the Northern Ireland Bureau, Invest NI, the University of Ulster, Queens University and a broad range of arts and cultural organizations under the leadership of the Department of Culture, Arts & Leisure (DCAL) and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, developed to leverage Northern Ireland’s participation in the Smithsonian Folklife Festival and present a new, revitalized Northern Ireland to U.S. audiences. Activities have been developed to showcase Northern Ireland in the areas of trade and business, education, tourism, food and drink, and arts and culture and to promote the region as a destination site for American business, students, and travelers.

About the Northern Ireland Bureau (www.nibureau.com)
The Northern Ireland Bureau in Washington, DC is the diplomatic office that represents the interests of Northern Ireland in the United States. Its mission is to identify regions in the United States that present opportunities to develop strategic partnerships and programs with Northern Ireland. The Bureau’s scope of work covers a wide range of topics including economic development, education, science and technology and neighborhood regeneration.

• Tim Losty is Director of the Northern Ireland Bureau, the diplomatic office based in Washington, DC representing Northern Ireland in the United States. Mr. Losty is responsible for managing communications and relations with the United States on behalf of the Northern Ireland Administration.


• Nigel Hamilton is Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service and co-chair of the Rediscover Northern Ireland Leadership Group. Nigel has responsibility for shaping the strategic direction of the Northern Ireland Civil Service and is the most senior advisor to the First and Deputy First Minister.


• Alan Gillespie is Chairman of the Ulster Bank and is also co-chair of the Rediscover Northern Ireland Leadership Group. The Ulster Bank is one of the major sponsors of the Rediscover Northern Ireland program.


• Stephen Grimason is Director of Northern Ireland’s Executive Information Service and a former reporter with the BBC. As Director, Stephen is responsible for media relations and managing communications from all government departments.

• Rosemary Kelly is Chairman of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and a Governor of the Irish Times Trust. Previously, she served as Head of Public Affairs and Company Secretary for BBC Northern Ireland.    

Contact:
Tony Silberfeld
(202) 367-0463

Jennifer Devlin
(703) 876-1714                

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