Council plans events to celebrate culture

The theme for this year is ‘One place, many people’. Events are facilitated by the council’s Good Relations Programme and are open to the public to celebrate the many aspects of our culture and heritage, promote cultural diversity and tackle sectarianism and racism, the core objectives of the week.

Celebrations begin on Tuesday, September 29, with a performance of ‘Bassam’ in the Market Place Theatre, Armagh at 7.30pm. Bassam is a powerful drama based on the personal story of Bassam Aramin, co-founder of the Israeli-Palestinian peace movement Combatants for Peace.

There will be panel discussions before and after the performance. This is a free event.

On Thursday, October 1, Bridge Integrated Primary School, Banbridge has a talk at 7pm hosted by Banbridge Good Relations Forum with guest speaker Linda Ervine of Turas at East Belfast Mission. The theme of this free event is Protestants & the Irish Language.

For booking and further details on the above events contact Susan Burns on 0300 0300 900.

On Saturday, October 3, the Meadows Shopping Centre, Portadown hosts ‘People Make Places’ from 12.30pm-4pm. This celebration event will showcase the cultural diversity within the borough and will feature local musicians, dancers, cultural traditions and delicious food plus much more. This free family event is suitable for all ages and booking is not required.

Saturday also sees a number of Shared History tours taking place. In the morning there will be ‘The Cathedrals of Armagh City’ tour led by historian Dr. Eamon Phoenix (£10 per person).

The afternoon tour ‘Development of Linen Industry in Upper Bann’ will be delivered by Dr Eamon Phoenix and local historian Plunkett Campbell. This driving tour which requires personal transport, will start at All Saints’ Church, Tullylish, Gilford taking in important historical sites along a six-mile route. Cost is £5 per person. Pre-booking is essential for both tours, contact Pat Prunty at 0300 0300 900

The week long programme ends on the Saturday, October 3 at 7.30pm in All Saints’ Church Tullylish when All Saints’ Church and Tullylish Historical Society present an evening celebrating 150 years since the birth of the poet W.B Yeats. Light refreshments will also be served. This is a free event and booking is not required.