Evelyn Hassard, the new Chairperson of Fermanagh Live
THE NEW CHAIR of the Fermanagh Live (FLive) Festival, which is to take place later this year, is Evelyn Hassard.
Evelyn, who along with her husband David owns Crannog Antiques in Enniskillen, succeeds Terry McCartney as the chair. She will take up the role for two years.
Originally from Belnaleck, Evelyn attended Enniskillen Collegiate – after qualifying at Stranmillis College taught for two years in Northern Ireland and then went to Switzerland, teaching in an international school for 10 years.
In 1985, she returned and had a job as music teacher in Duke of Westminster school. In the mid-1990s, she moved to teach at the Collegiate where she finished her career.
The Fermanagh Arts Festival Ltd was founded in 2006, and in 2012 was rebranded as Fermanagh Live. Several months ago, previous chair, Terry McCartney confirmed that the festival would run in 2013, despite being biennial previously.
“When I joined the arts committee at the very beginning, my interest was in classical music and I felt that I had something there that I could add to their remit,” explained Evelyn.
“I was always in the background helping, and I’ve got more and more involved over the years.”
She continued: “We see ourselves as trying to give a show of every type of art: Art exhibitions, photography, classical music, traditional music, jazz – we’re going to try and have something for everyone.”
The committee are looking towards acts that include the ‘Big Brass Swing Band’, organised by Bob Quick, a performance from David Meade – as well as the return of popular 2012 acts Pat McManus, David Meade, Vladamir Jablokov.