Groups encouraged to explore cultural diversity
A NEW programme is to explore the cultural diversity of Larne and its neighbouring boroughs.
A consortium comprising the Mid-Antrim Museums Service, the Causeway Museums Service, Beyond Skin, Imeall Tr Teo and Corrymeela Community has been awarded the tender to deliver Programme 7a: Public/Private Cultural Diversity Awareness, Respect and Enriching Programme, on behalf of the North East PEACE III Partnership.
The overall objective of the programme is to reinforce progress towards a peaceful and stable society and promote reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the border region. The North East Peace III Action Plan outlines how the council areas of Larne, Coleraine, Ballymoney, Moyle, Ballymena and Limavady aim to address reconciliation and how they intend to contribute to a lasting peace in the cluster area.
Programme 7a is aimed at increasing engagement among and between communities. Its main objective is to promote respect, inclusion and cultural diversity whilst at the same time enhancing respect and improved understanding of differences among the communities of the North East.
This project is financed by the European Unions European Regional Development Fund through the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation managed for the Special EU Programmes Body by the North East PEACE III Partnership.
The programme, entitled Cultural Connections, will provide local groups opportunities to explore a diverse range of local cultures and will run until December 2010.
Our rich cultural heritage is the combination of contact between peoples of differing origins and traditions, which has been the case in Ulster for millennia. Celts, Vikings, Normans, Scots and English represent waves of invasion which have intermingled and fused, each leaving their marks on settlement patterns, rural customs and traditions, place names and language. Given its proximity to Scotland, this is particularly obvious in the North East - a region where overlapping cultural influences have created a rich fusion of cultural heritage. Cultural Connections will support the exploration and expression of different cultures in the NE cluster area.
The programme aims to increase awareness and understanding among the NE community of the different communities, faiths and heritage that exist in the NE area and deliver a cultural diversity awareness and enriching programme which would include, among other elements, approximately 20 local community based promotional initiatives.
This presents an opportunity for up to 20 organisations to get involved with an innovative programme to showcase the diverse cultural heritage of the North East and groups from throughout the Larne borough are encouraged to register their interest in participating in Cultural Connections by requesting or downloading an expression of interest form. Information sessions, where everyone is invited to learn more about the opportunities to participate in Cultural Connections and meet members of the Cultural Connections team, are scheduled for Wednesday, July 1 from 7.30pm to 9pm in Corrymeela Community, 5 Drumaroan Rd, Ballycastle and Thursday, July 2 from 7.30pm to 9pm in The Braid, 1-29 Bridge Street, Ballymena. There will also be a further information session later in the summer in Carnlough on a date to be confirmed.
Anyone who wishes to attend an information session, RSVP to either Dominique Bouchard, Mid-Antrim Museums Service (email: bouchard.mams@gmail.com or telephone 028 2565 7161) or Maria Cagney, Causeway Museums Service (email:maria.cagney@colerainebc.gov.uk or telephone 028 7034 7034). Expression of interest forms can be requested from either of these contacts or you can download one at www.thebraid.com/museum.aspx
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Larne
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North east
