Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport & Media, Catherine Martin T. D. and Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin T.D. today, 3rd March, announced Ireland in Germany, a €2 million joint investment in a season of Irish arts and culture which will take place in Germany. The season will be a joint partnership between Culture Ireland and the Department of Foreign Affairs, with the aim of deepening Ireland’s cultural engagement with Germany, as a key partner in Europe, as we mark the fiftieth anniversary of our membership of the European Union. In line with the ambition of Global Ireland, Ireland is committed to strengthening our global cultural presence and impact and places a strategic priority on arts and creativity as a key outward expression of our identity. This initiative aims to provide a special focus on the presentation of contemporary Irish arts in Germany.
Speaking today Minister Catherine Martin T.D. said:
“I am pleased to launch the call for participation in the German season of Irish arts and culture in 2024. It is an opportune moment to renew our cultural connections with German cultural partners as we continue to rebuild the cultural ecosystem after the pandemic disruption. In particular, it is an exciting moment to present a broad range of contemporary Irish arts and culture to German audiences, who have a long history of enthusiastic engagement with Irish arts and culture. It is particularly encouraging to work in partnership with my colleague the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs on this project.”
The Irish Embassy in Berlin and Consulate-General in Frankfurt, with on-the-ground engagement, will work alongside Culture Ireland to co-fund, plan and deliver the programme.
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin T.D. commented:
“Germany is a vital political and economic partner for Ireland and our bilateral relations are excellent, with a major increase in contacts and coordination between Ireland and Germany since the 2018 strategic review of Ireland’s relations with Germany and the subsequent German-Irish Joint Plans of Action were launched. I am delighted that my Department and our Embassy in Berlin and Consulate General in Frankfurt are partnering with Culture Ireland to present a curated season with a vibrant, contemporary and high-quality cultural programme in major venues, institutions and festivals across Germany, and which will grow German audiences for Irish arts.”
In 2024, the special initiative will build on the strong cultural connections and will focus on developing a programme which would cover a range of priority regions and cities across artforms working in partnership with local German practitioners, presenters and institutions.
Minister Catherine Martin T.D. added:
“I am very pleased that my Department through Culture Ireland will invest €1m in Ireland in Germany with the ambition of creating and supporting opportunities for contemporary Irish artists to present their work in Germany. I hope that this investment will lead to long-term partnerships and collaborations for Irish artists and will present the diversity of contemporary Irish arts to German audiences.”
This new initiative follows Culture Ireland’s successful delivery of previous special projects, including the international culture programme as part of Ireland 2016 and more recently, Culture Ireland GB18, which focussed on cultural activity in Britain. This new initiative will create new opportunities for artists and companies across artforms to perform across Germany as well as develop their networks of contacts with German-based artists and cultural institutions.
A call for expressions of interest in participation in the season is now available on the Culture Ireland website here:
https://www.cultureireland.ie/news/article/ireland-in-germany-2024-calls-for-expressions-of-interest
ENDS
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Notes for Editors
- The initiative for a major cultural season in Germany was a key recommendation of Ireland in Germany - A Wider and DeeperFootprint, a strategic review of bilateral relations concluded in 2018.
- Culture Ireland will work in tandem with the Department of Foreign Affairs to reach the widest possible audience and seek to make new connections and opportunities for Irish artists.
- The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media through Culture Ireland will provide €1m in funding and the Department of Foreign Affairs will provide an additional €1m.
- Arts organisations and Irish professional artists who are already planning for activity in Germany in 2024 should send in their expression of interest as soon as possible – further information and eligibility criteria are available on the Culture Ireland website here:
https://www.cultureireland.ie/news/article/ireland-in-germany-2024-calls-for-expressions-of-interest