TRAVFEST, a celebration of creativity in the Traveller community, is running in Limerick next week.
Travfest is the coming together of a number of strands of the work created through Guth na Mincéirí over several months.
From Thursday, November 17, Comóradh, an exhibition of work commemorating loved ones who have been lost – often through suicide – will showcase the work of a group of women who have been collaborating with artists local Julianne Hennelly and Melanie O’Rourke for several months.
On Friday, November 18, as part of a showcase of short films made by and about the Travelling community, David McDonagh’s film Being Put Back Together is a moving account of one young man’s road to recovery through his own creative journey. The film was shot over the summer months in Limerick, Clare, and Galway.
Saturday, November 19 features ‘A Vision for my Daughter’s Future’, an audio account of several Traveller women’s hopes for a better future for their daughters and granddaughters, at 3pm in the Belltable auditorium.
It’s followed at 8pm by the TravFest Concert celebrating the musical talents of the Sharyn Ward and Steo Wall, blended with Rude Awakening, a group of emerging rap artists, mentored by Willzee.
In keeping with the themes of commemoration, a wreath-making workshop will take place on Sunday November 20 inspired by the custom of placing wreaths on the graves of loved ones in the lead up to Christmas.
TravFest is the final event in Guth na Mincéirí, a six month celebration of Traveller culture, focusing on well being through creative activity.
The programme is an initiative of Creative Ireland, The Arts Council, and the HSE. TravFest and Guth na Mincéirí is produced by The GAFF in collaboration with partners Limerick Traveller Health Programme, Learning Hub Limerick, the Local Creative Youth Partnership, Creative Communities Midwest, and Fresh Film.
