Seán Ó Súilleabháin of Sean O’Heslin’s GAA Club; author Carlo Gebler (who lives in Co. Fermanagh); Ruth Moore Gonsalves from the Dialogues through Literature Programme; Catherine Ryan of the International Fund for Ireland; Cllr Alex Baird of Fermanagh District Council; and Melanie Ward of Libraries Northern Ireland.
THE finale of a major cross-community event, the Dialogues through Literature Readers’ Symposium 2013 took place in Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim recently.
This was an 18-month project that celebrated a shared Interest in literature and language, and brought together the wider reading public and Book Group members from different cultural backgrounds.
It was organised by Ballinamore Sean O’Heslin’s GAA club, and, across the two days, over 250 attended, from across Leitrim, Cavan, Fermanagh and Tyrone.
On the eve of the two-day event, visitors enjoyed a cross-cultural concert, ‘Words through Music’, featuring well-known singer, Eleanor Shanley and friends.
Friday and Saturday threw up a packed programme that enabled participants to come together and engage with renowned authors, poets, fiction and non-fiction writers, journalists and critics from across the island of Ireland, north and south.
The ‘Dialogues through Literature’ project was funded by the International Fund for Ireland (IFI) under its Community Based Economic and Social Regeneration Programme and administered by Ballinamore Sean O’Heslin’s GAA club in partnership with Leitrim County Library and in co-operation with Cavan County Library and Libraries Northern Ireland.
The project used books and reading to enhance the levels of interaction, communication and reconciliation among communities from both traditions.
And, by developing contacts, the project sought to achieve the ultimate goal of challenging stereotypes, developing greater mutual understanding and building sustainable cross-community relationships.
For instance, the symposium opened with a session (‘Fact and Fiction),’ that explored the relationship between the past and present within the imaginations of the writer as well as reflecting lived realities.
It was led by Enniskillen-based writer, Carlo Gébler, and Queens University lecturer Dr Darran McCann, both of whom explored ideas around truth, historical, social and emotional truths, and ‘the rendering of past events as narrative’.
The focus switched to exploring women’s literary voice.
An inter-generational conversation between acclaimed writers Jennifer Johnston and Claire Kilroy was hosted by writer and commentator, Susan McKay. The three women spoke about their respective role models as women writers.
The Saturday programme ficused on a celebration of language, writing and authors with connections to place.
Michael Harding, who has worked closely with reading groups in the area in the past read from his latest work, ‘Starring at Lakes – A Memoir’.
Speaking at the opening, Catherine Ryan of the International Fund for Ireland explained that the Fund was committed to the long-term task of breaking down traditional barriers, and Paddy Connaughton, the secretary of Ballinamore Seán O’Heslin’s GAA Club, said outreach was an important part of the club’s broad cultural agenda.
Ruth Moore Gonsalves, Cultural Coordinator for the project, said: “We believe the ‘Dialogues through Literature’ programme has raised the bar and expectations around being able to engage with the very best of authors.