International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination was marked in Arklow this year by the arrival of ‘Festival in a Van’.
Described as ‘an ice cream van for the arts!’, Festival in a Van does exactly what is says on the tin. It’s a Festival and guess what, it’s in a Van! Said Van transforms into a mini mobile venue equipped with sound, lights, and a drop-down stage. As it’s fully mobile, it can pop up pretty much anywhere – parks, streets, squares, schools, car parks, care homes, you name it.
Fresh from the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Carlow, the African Irish Society of Wicklow in conjunction with Wicklow County Council, brought the Festival in a Van to Arklow last Saturday, 23rd March to celebrate!
Poet Laureate and singer – songwriter Kayssie K. also known as Christie Kandiwa, was born in Zimbabwe and raised in Ireland. Her work as a poet and singer-songwriter is influenced by blending her Zimbabwean cultural heritage and her Irish upbringing to intertwine Southern-African myths and local languages and forms. Awarded as the Poet Laureate of County Wicklow in 2021, she was also published as one of seventy women who have shaped Irish culture. Rhythm Africana and No Wahala Dance Crew treated the audience to a vibrant display alongside some powerful beats on traditional African drums.
Once the whole event was over, the van closed up and they hot tailed it to Greystones to repeat the mini festival all over again for the North Siders!
Festival in a Van is suitable for a wide variety of performances including poetry readings, Concerts and Shakespearean Dramas. Collaborating with festivals, community groups, schools, local authorities, and anyone who appreciates the idea of something wonderful coming their way, you can get in touch with them here.
