Culture Night, One Night For All Celebrates its Eighteenth Edition

It’s that time of year again! Culture Night, the beloved nationwide celebration of culture and the arts in Ireland, is back on the twenty-second of September for its eighteenth edition, with a programme full of unmissable events.

Culture Night is about opening doors and inviting people in to experience a range of quality Arts and Cultural events for free. It is a chance for each one of us to connect with the arts and experience something new. Over the years special attention has been given to creating spaces that are inclusive and safe. Culture Night celebrates belonging and is for everyone, so no matter what your age or inclination, go check out the Culture Night programme (https://culturenight.ie/events/) to see what free events are happening in your area.

The late poet Seamus Heaney said of poetry and the arts, that if they do anything ‘they can fortify your inner life.’ In a world that is increasingly busy, it is important for us to seek spaces that remind us to slow down and reconnect. Culture Night, which was conceived by Temple Bar Cultural Trust in 2006, is one such space.

The initial intention with the project was to connect various cultural spaces in Dublin and open them up to later audiences and during its first year forty cultural institutions took part. Now stewarded by the Arts Council in collaboration with local authority arts offices, the initiative has grown into one of the country’s largest cultural events, inviting artists and audiences all around Ireland to convene in late September for an evening of exploration and discovery. Indeed, there is something magical about the time surrounding the Autumn Equinox, and Culture Night reflects this, giving our island community’s imagination, a collective space to play.

The Arts Council partners with all local authorities and cultural organisations across Ireland to make Culture Night happen. Thanks to the hard work of these local authorities and cultural organisations, spaces throughout Ireland will open their doors to host audiences for free on September 22nd. A diversity of artistic voices, which reflect modern Irish society, will be represented on the night, meaning audience members can expect an introduction to new and emerging Irish acts, as well as artists well established within their fields.

Events that are accessible to families and people of all ages have always been a priority during Culture Night. For more information on multi-generational events, check out the full Culture Night program, but here’s a quick taster:

• The author Colum McCann, whose most recent novel Apeirogon was described as a ‘masterpiece’ by the Guardian, will read a selection of his work in Leitrim. McCann will also speak about Narrative 4, a non-profit organisation he co-founded that offers educators creative tools to teach compassion in classroom settings. (https://culturenight.ie/event/evening-with-an-author-colum-mccann/)

• For lovers of astronomy, folklore and archeology Cruinne Comhthreomhar – Áit A Bhfuil Gaeilge Ag Gach Duine invites people to Kerry’s Gaeltacht for a magical evening of music, dance and talks trí Ghaeilge, as Ireland’s connection to the stars is explored. (https://culturenight.ie/event/cruinne-comhthreomhar-ait-a-bhfuil-gaeilge-ag-gach-duine-parallel-universe-where-everyone-speaks-irish-2/)

• The Moco Music Academy in Monaghan invites younger participants (8-16) to discover and paint local historical landmarks. ‘A Moment Frozen in Time’ is an art workshop that allows children and teens to engage with history through their imaginations and creative process. Canvases will be provided, and participants are allowed to bring their artwork home. (https://culturenight.ie/event/a-moment-frozen-in-time/)