'Exodus' to be explored

‘The Exodus’ will seek to uncover why so many people left between 1969 and 1973. Prior to 1969 the Protestant population on the west bank stood at over 16,000. Today it is about 400.

The project is being supported by a 50,000 Heritage Lottery Fund grant.

To ensure the project is as reflective as possible, the creator, Jonathan Burgess, of Blue Eagle Productions, has appealed for people who were affected by these events to come forward and share their personal memories and experiences. The oral histories, which will provide first-hand accounts of the events, will be kept as an ongoing heritage resource and used to create a new hard-hitting and important theatre production for Northern Ireland.

“This project has been in the pipeline for a number of years and I am thrilled that it is finally coming to fruition. The subject of The Exodus - the single largest movement of an ethnic group ever, per head of population, in peacetime Europe - has never been explored in any meaningful way in a public forum. The interviews we are going to conduct with people who have their own Exodus stories to tell will not only create a well researched, inclusive piece of theatre that will tour throughout Northern Ireland but also a publication and dedicated project website. These resources will create a legacy surrounding this aspect of the Protestant heritage while those people who were directly affected are still alive to tell their stories,” he said.

A committee of volunteers will provide ongoing community input into the development of the play to ensure the accuracy and authenticity of the script. A series of workshops and debates will be held alongside the theatre production to increase understanding of the sensitive issues that surround The Exodus and provide an opportunity for the local community to explore and deal with this aspect of their heritage. In addition an educational outreach programme will be developed to enable local schoolchildren to learn more about this important heritage.

The project is also supported by Derry City Council and Community Relations Council and has received backing from a number of influential figures including Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, William Hay

“This is a very important story in the life of the Protestant people of Londonderry and I am delighted to see the project get underway and bring some focus to this issue.”

To get involved contact Blue Eagle Productions on 028 7184 1931 or email [email protected]