The DLR Festival of World Cultures returns at the end of August bringing its unique, colourful blend of Irish and international acts to the magnificent surroundings of Dun Laoghaire. With the hugely popular event now in its 9th year, Artistic Director Jody Ackland highlights its increasing relevance and importance and introduces this year’s phenomenal festival programme.
How would you describe the festival’s aims or intentions to someone who’s not familiar with it?
We’re predominantly a ‘world music festival’ but we also have a strong programme of dance, arts, dialogue, markets and craft. The main foundation is a world music programme but we incorporate an ethos of integration, cultural exchange and education. I think that comes across in the programme and is why the festival has such broad appeal. It provides more than just entertainment; it also has a strong message to deliver to people.
Is it important for you to include various disciplines other than music and to encourage participation?
Participation is a strong part of the programme ethos and an essential part of the festival. It’s mainly done through the workshops and discussions on offer. We also produce a newspaper, The Festival Times, which includes various articles addressing issues like climate change, fair trade, and human rights. A dynamic, vibrant and eclectic atmosphere is what we aim to create at the festival and that’s achieved through encouraging inclusion and creating accessibility.
Ireland has become very multi-cultural, particularly in the last decade. Is the festival a way of reflecting that change and acknowledging the city’s growing ethnic diversity?
The festival was conceived on the basis of those principles. It was founded both to mark the millennium and to reflect the changing cultural demographic of Ireland. It’s something that is very much relevant at the moment with the current economic depression. People have asked us what the value of the festival is at this time. Yes, the recession is a low point but we have to be careful that we don’t allow it to make a dent in the calendar of Irish history.
The headline acts all seem quite inspirational as well as musically talented. Oumou Sangare is a champion of women’s rights. Jane Birkin is a HIV/AIDS activist. Was that something you intended?
We always look to people who have a significant profile internationally. I’m quite proud that we have a number of very strong women. Oumou is an incredible business woman and a UN Goodwill ambassador. These people of course inspire us but we didn’t deliberately set out to programme women of this calibre. It naturally happened this year.
Are there any highlights on the festival programme for you personally?
For our Sunday concert in the Pavilion Theatre we are bringing together two fantastic Sufi artists. Sain Zahoor is a famous mystic and musician from Pakistan known as the ‘king of the street people’. He’ll be performing with his band. We’ve invited Bachir Attar who is also a great musician and well-known in his native Morocco to join him. The two have actually never met before but they will be performing together in a very special, unique collaboration.
The Festival takes place on the 29th and 30th of August. See www.festivalofworldcultures for more information.
