An exciting fixture on Galway’s festival calendar year on year, the Galway International Arts Festival is one of the much-anticipated events in the West. Despite the fact that the July 2020 Galway International Arts Festival did not go ahead in the interests of public health, the Festival team were still committed to playing their part in the national recovery.
Details of a creative programme of events entitled Galway International Arts Festival, Autumn Edition were announced recently by John Fahy and Paul Crumlish. The programme which will take place this September and October will include both live arts and an enhanced digital component giving audiences a choice as to how they wish to engage with it, in person (both indoors and outdoors) or at home digitally. The aim is that while moving forward and bringing live experiences back to the fore, no one is left behind, especially those who are unable to travel to Galway or are currently staying at home. Acutely aware of public health concerns, the programme is designed to be presented within public health and Government guidelines, with all events allowing for limited attendance and social distancing.
The centrepiece of the programme will be the world unveiling of a major new visual arts commission for Galway 2020, European Capital of Culture. Presented outdoors in Galway city and in Connemara, the unveiling of John Gerrard’s Mirror Pavilion will be a dazzling moment on the Irish landscape.
2020 #GIAF HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
Mirror Pavilion by John Gerrard, using cutting edge digital technology, will be one of the largest outdoor installations ever to be seen in Ireland, as well as new work in the Festival Gallery from Hughie O’Donoghue and online from Sarah Hickson. The Festival gallery will also host American video art pioneer Bill Viola’s Three Women.
Be among the first to see in person a new work by Enda Walsh at a work-in-progress stage, with Clare Barrett and Aoife Duffin which will also mark Domhnall Gleeson’s return to the stage as well as a new ROOM, also written by Enda, to explore.
First Thought Talks: the big issues and challenges of 2020 are explored with speakers including Samantha Power, Professor Luke O’Neill, Marion McKeone, Colm Tóibín, Gaia Vince, Eamon Dunphy and Fintan O’Toole.
Experience through headphones, as you walk through the streets of Galway, Cascando by Samuel Beckett directed by Gavin Quinn, from Pan Pan. Live performances to mark Beethoven 250 by ConTempo string quartet.
Tickets on-sale here – www.giaf.ie
