Arts Festival’s big blue tent is return to normal service
Groove Tube with Cian O’Connell
It had been one of the cornerstones of Galway’s summer – until it wasn’t. But that’s what will make the return of the bright blue tent of the Big Top to Fisheries Field an even bigger cause for celebration – as it marks confirmation that the Galway International Arts Festival is back to its old self.
Taking place from July 11 to 24, the city will host a series of events in music, art, theatre, dance and comedy – and the Big Top will host everyone from Pixies to the Flaming Lips and Orla Gartland to the Frames.
Paul Fahy is the festival’s longstanding Artistic Director and, as the opening day approaches, he is reminded of the significance of this year’s events.
The GIAF has been around in some form since 1978 and its role in Galway’s arts calendar is enormous. With some shows having been postponed and rescheduled a handful of times, there is a desire now among artists and attendees to experience the buzz of the arts festival in every corner of city, and to fit three years’ worth of energy into next month.
“We only got the audience capacity up to fifty percent the day before we opened last year,” Paul recalls.
“Then it went up to sixty percent as one of those trial things. For things to be back full wallop with a full programme now is fantastic. The blue roof of the Heineken Big Top popping up – it’s such an iconic symbol of Galway and we’ve really missed it.
“I’m thrilled that it’s back this year but also you have things like having to control numbers going into galleries and less space in the last couple of years, so to be able to return without those concerns in July is really fantastic. Having people back on the streets again and the return of the festival garden in Eyre Square again… They just feel like great moments.”
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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