Post by earl on Feb 19, 2008 17:03:59 GMT
THOUSANDS of people took to the streets of Belfast city centre on Saturday to show their support for the Irish language and cultural diversity.
The march, organised by POBAL, the umbrella organisation for Irish language groups in the North, was hailed by the Chief Executive of POBAL, Janet Muller, as a huge success.
A 20-foot Chinese dragon led supporters from West Belfast to Writers’ Square in the city centre for an afternoon of music and poetry from Irish language speakers and multi-ethnic groups from as far away as Poland and Ghana.
Several groups attended to show support not only for the Irish language and cultural diversity itself, but also for Ciste Craoltóireachta na Gaeilge (the Irish Language Broadcast Fund) which is under threat at present. They were also supporting the call for an Irish Language Act and backing the threatened Irish language paper Lá Nua. Ms Muller said the large crowd and colourful atmosphere showed the depth of support for the ‘Say Tá to the Irish Language’ campaign.
“It was an extremely lively, noisy and colourful march and the multi-ethnic atmosphere showed just how wide the support is,” she said.
“We had traditional Irish music from Marcas Ó Murchú and Oisín Mac Diarmada, poetry readings from Jamaican and Ghanaian poets and ethnic music from Polish and Slovenian musicians, so it shows how wide the cultural support for this is.
“People from all walks of life were here and they came from all over Ireland to show their support. A lot of what you can hear about the Irish language can be bad and this event proved just how colourful and joyous it is. The great turn-out showed the wealth of support there is out there for the Irish language.”
Under attack
Janet said that in recent months, the language itself was under attack, with the decision not to introduce an Irish Language Act, the threat to the broadcasting fund, and now the threat of the imminent closure of Lá Nua, Ireland’s only daily Irish language newspaper.
Before the parade took off the organisers held a an international food fair in Cultúrlann Mac Adam Ó Fiaich, and storytelling in An Ceathrú Póilí bookshop, also in the Irish language arts centre on the Falls Road.
A large number of Gaelscoil pupils also participated, with the march being led by salsa drummers from Dublin and Coláiste Feirste, and a Chinese dragon created by Year 7 in Bunscoil an tSléibhe Dhuibh.
Exceptional event
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams, who took part in Saturday’s parade, praised all of those who participated.
“Saturday’s parade was an exceptional event. It brought together Irish language activists and ethnic minority groups in a unique display of support for an Irish Language Act.
“It also highlighted the diverse nature of Belfast today and of our shared cultural heritage in Belfast,” said the West Belfast MP.
“While significant progress has been made in recent years in securing recognition and additional resources for the Irish language, there are still major hurdles to be overcome.
“But we must never lose sight of the fact that this issue is about rights, the right of Irish language speakers to have the same rights as all other citizens, including the right to use their native language in all of their business and social activities.”
Growth
Bairbre de Brún MEP also marched in Saturday’s parade. She praised the thousands of supporters who turned out for the march.
“I was at the march and was glad to see so many people out celebrating the Irish language,” she said.
“The demand for Irish language rights and an Irish Language Act has never been greater.
“The growth of the Irish language and especially Irish medium education has been our country’s cultural success story and I commend POBAL for organising the march.”
Mr Adams will be meeting the Culture Minister Edwin Poots today (Monday) to discuss an Irish language Act, the Irish Language Broadcast Fund and other matters of concern for Irish speakers in the North.
The march, organised by POBAL, the umbrella organisation for Irish language groups in the North, was hailed by the Chief Executive of POBAL, Janet Muller, as a huge success.
A 20-foot Chinese dragon led supporters from West Belfast to Writers’ Square in the city centre for an afternoon of music and poetry from Irish language speakers and multi-ethnic groups from as far away as Poland and Ghana.
Several groups attended to show support not only for the Irish language and cultural diversity itself, but also for Ciste Craoltóireachta na Gaeilge (the Irish Language Broadcast Fund) which is under threat at present. They were also supporting the call for an Irish Language Act and backing the threatened Irish language paper Lá Nua. Ms Muller said the large crowd and colourful atmosphere showed the depth of support for the ‘Say Tá to the Irish Language’ campaign.
“It was an extremely lively, noisy and colourful march and the multi-ethnic atmosphere showed just how wide the support is,” she said.
“We had traditional Irish music from Marcas Ó Murchú and Oisín Mac Diarmada, poetry readings from Jamaican and Ghanaian poets and ethnic music from Polish and Slovenian musicians, so it shows how wide the cultural support for this is.
“People from all walks of life were here and they came from all over Ireland to show their support. A lot of what you can hear about the Irish language can be bad and this event proved just how colourful and joyous it is. The great turn-out showed the wealth of support there is out there for the Irish language.”
Under attack
Janet said that in recent months, the language itself was under attack, with the decision not to introduce an Irish Language Act, the threat to the broadcasting fund, and now the threat of the imminent closure of Lá Nua, Ireland’s only daily Irish language newspaper.
Before the parade took off the organisers held a an international food fair in Cultúrlann Mac Adam Ó Fiaich, and storytelling in An Ceathrú Póilí bookshop, also in the Irish language arts centre on the Falls Road.
A large number of Gaelscoil pupils also participated, with the march being led by salsa drummers from Dublin and Coláiste Feirste, and a Chinese dragon created by Year 7 in Bunscoil an tSléibhe Dhuibh.
Exceptional event
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams, who took part in Saturday’s parade, praised all of those who participated.
“Saturday’s parade was an exceptional event. It brought together Irish language activists and ethnic minority groups in a unique display of support for an Irish Language Act.
“It also highlighted the diverse nature of Belfast today and of our shared cultural heritage in Belfast,” said the West Belfast MP.
“While significant progress has been made in recent years in securing recognition and additional resources for the Irish language, there are still major hurdles to be overcome.
“But we must never lose sight of the fact that this issue is about rights, the right of Irish language speakers to have the same rights as all other citizens, including the right to use their native language in all of their business and social activities.”
Growth
Bairbre de Brún MEP also marched in Saturday’s parade. She praised the thousands of supporters who turned out for the march.
“I was at the march and was glad to see so many people out celebrating the Irish language,” she said.
“The demand for Irish language rights and an Irish Language Act has never been greater.
“The growth of the Irish language and especially Irish medium education has been our country’s cultural success story and I commend POBAL for organising the march.”
Mr Adams will be meeting the Culture Minister Edwin Poots today (Monday) to discuss an Irish language Act, the Irish Language Broadcast Fund and other matters of concern for Irish speakers in the North.
