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PAGE >> Programs >>
The 13th EU-Japan Fest >> City of Making - A Cultural Capital
of Europe Created by Its Citizens |
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| Cork, Ireland Cultural Capital of Europe 2005 |
City of Making
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| Welcoming ten new member countries
in May 2004, the European Union has now expanded to a membership
of 25 countries. Cork, Ireland is the first Cultural Capital of
Europe following this expansion. A port city situated in southeast
Ireland, Cork is the smallest yet of the Cultural Capitals of Europe,
with a population of just 130,000. The city's name derives from the Gaelic word for "marshy place", and indeed it first developed on the banks of the River Lee and later flourished as a port and shipbuilding center. Cork was in fact the last port of call for the Titanic in 1912. The city has also known unfortunate episodes of mass emigration, including the flight across the Atlantic of one million of the country's people due to famine and poor economic conditions in the 1840's, but Cork has recently experienced unprecedented prosperity and its population has grown year after year with immigration from Eastern Europe, Russia, the Philippines and Africa. |
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River Lee flowing across the
city.
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| It is this city
of Cork that is engaging with its 2005 status as Cultural Capital
of Europe as one of tradition and innovation. As artists and tourists
not only from Europe but all over the world visit their city, the
people of Cork will explore their own identity in the context of
their relationship with the outside world. Proposals were solicited from the citizens as part of determining the year's program, and voting was conducted on the basis of personal interviews with people who originated suggestions. This is a Cultural Capital of the Europe with its citizens at its core, one created by its citizens. The program ranges far and wide, from contemporary art through architecture, music, cinema, literature, drama, dance and sport, and a great many Japanese artists are scheduled to participate. Opening ceremony on 8-9 January 2005! |
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| Cultural Capital of Europe Cork 2005 Official Website: http://www.cork2005.ie/home/default.asp |
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