Packed schedule for Londonderry community relations drive

This year will see the return of the annual Community Relations Week Flower Festival.

This year, the floral displays will be housed in the Carlisle Road Methodist Church and a special service of thanksgiving will take place on Monday 26th April at 1.00pm.

The Flower Festival allows women from across the city to come together to create stunning flower displays using a diversity of blooms.

The festival will provide the general public with thought provoking and eye-catching displays telling a variety of stories.

This year, the festival reflects on Shared Space through church, schools, city and communities. All are welcome and the Flower Festival will be in display throughout Community Relations Week.

The Shared City Project have also organised 'The Art of Healing' exhibition, which opens in The Playhouse on Monday 26th April and is on display until Saturday 1st May.

This exhibition will display inspiring pieces of art, watercolours, oils and photographs, with the theme of shared space, and aims to engage members of all communities in the city.

The exhibition is a showcase of the Cross-Community Education Programme's work. Everyone is welcome to the launch event and light refreshments are included.

That night will also see a production of community drama 'Exodus Revisited'.

This play revisits the much discussed topic of the 'Exodus' from a cross-community perspective.

Whilst giving recognition to the trauma behind the exodus of people from both 'sides' of the City during the troubles, this drama chooses not to dwell on the troubles but actually highlight how the community has moved forward.

Doors open at 7.45 for show time at 8.00. The event is free and all are welcome.

The Shared City Project have partnered with Women into Irish History to organise a 'Celebration of 10 Years of 'Shared History' Exhibition'. This event will bring together women from cross community backgrounds to celebrate and highlight the numerous projects they have delivered including books, CD roms, quilts, stained glass, and art.

The exhibition of their work will be on display in the Workhouse Museum, Glendermott Road from Monday 26th April until Monday 3rd May from 9.00 am until 4.00 pm.

All members of the public are encouraged to drop into the Museum to view this interesting and informative exhibition.

On Tuesday 27th April, The Verbal Arts Centre will host the launch of the Shared City Project's 'Moving On' book at 7.30pm.

This book contains poetry, short stories and drama and contains contributions from women from across Derry City Council Area. The launch will highlight the excellent and productive community relations work that is ongoing in city.

Friday 30th April will see an innovative Shared Space Community Health Day taking place in the Cathedral Youth Club in the Fountain.

The event, from 11.00 am until 3.00 pm, will provide a shared space for women, men and young adults to come together to take part in a tour of the area, avail of health checks and therapies and enjoy a healthy lunch.

Jeanette Warke from the Shared City Project is excited about the events taking place, commenting: "We have worked hard to produce a comprehensive programme of diverse events to demonstrate the work that we do and the advances we have made in bringing diverse groups of people together.

"The events highlight the shared issues facing all communities in this city and I would encourage people to come along and see the work for themselves.

"I would like to thank all those who have contributed, either by producing items for the exhibitions and displays and helping to organise the events."

Community Relations Week aims to challenge racism and sectarianism and promote peace building, cross community and cultural diversity.

Over 40 events are being scheduled across the Derry City Council area as part of Community Relations Week for 2010.

Events are funded through the District Council's Community Relations Programme (CRU, OFMDFM) as part of Derry City Council's Good Relations Strategy.

For further information about any of the events please contact 028 71 345160 or see www.derrycity.gov.uk/goodrelations.

For details of all events organised by the Shared City Project, contact Jeanette Warke on 028 7126 0483 or email [email protected].

Community Relations Week, organised by the Community Relations Council runs from April 26 to May 2 and is the biggest week in the community relations calendar involving 150 events and thousands of people throughout Northern Ireland.The theme for the week is the role of young people in building a shared society, with the strapline Time to Change the Conversation

Tony McCusker, Chairman of the Community Relations Council which devised and co-ordinates Community Relations Week every year says : "This week has become a vital means by which the work of those in the community relations sector is communicated to, and recognised, by a wider audience. It is only one week in the year, but it highlights the important work of this sector that takes place throughout the year."