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Limerick Intercultural Week 2016 reimagines Limerick

A fascinating story about one Muslim girl’s experience growing up in Ireland will be one of the highlights of this year’s Reimagining: Limerick Intercultural Week 2016 which takes place the October 17-23.

Iesha Moustafa will speak to young people in Limerick schools about her experience of growing up in Ireland and also of being a football player.

She was able to follow her passion of playing football following a ruling in March 2014 by FIFA which lifted their ban on the wearing of hijabs. This meant that young Muslim women can now play international football while wearing their traditional headgear. This inspired youth leaders in Sports Against Racism Ireland (SARI) to establish the Hat-tricks and Hijabs project, dedicated to encouraging Muslim women to play football. Iesha will talk about this project but will also speak to schools about being a young Muslim woman growing up in Ireland.

Iesha’s story is one of 11 events taking place across Limerick as part of Reimagining: Limerick Intercultural Week 2016.


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The overall theme of this year’s festival is Connecting Communities. The aim is to build new connections between communities and strengthen existing ones.

Other highlights include the exhibition What Would You Take?’ (The Granary 9a.m – 5p.m all week).  Imagine being forced to leave your home without warning. What would you take with you? Something essential to your survival? A sentimental object? This is the experience of many asylum seekers and refugees. The exhibition aims to bring awareness to the reality of this type of choice and encourages you to explore this type of decision.

A World Food Festival in Limerick’s iconic Milk Market between 11a.m and 4p.m on 23 October, which will bring the Reimagining: Limerick Intercultural Week 2016 to a close.

Why not tickle your palate with diverse dishes and recipes at a variety of international food stands, all locally produced.  There will be free live music, games and fun for all the family. It promises to be a great day out. Come along and be part of this unique event!

An open evening in Henry Street Garda Station where all members of the community are invited to attend to discuss Safer Communities (4p.m – 7p.m Friday 21 October), and a Sports for All: Come and Try initiative which offers children in Limerick an opportunity to experience new sports, make friends and connect with local clubs. (5p.m – 7p.m Thursday 20 October in Delta Sports Dome).

Mayor of the City and County of Limerick, Cllr Kieran O’Hanlon said: “As Limerick continues to grow and be enriched by people making Limerick their home, it’s important that communities come together.  Everyone has their own unique identity but we all share a common bond – that of calling Limerick home.  I’m calling on all Limerick people to check out the events taking place over the seven days and attend at least one.”

Eugene Quinn, from the Intercultural Working Group, who are organizing the festival said: “The centenary of the 1916 Rising has afforded everyone to reflect on our society as a whole.  Reimagining Limerick hopes that together we can all work together to shape a truly inclusive Limerick in which all residents, local and migrant are welcomed and valued, irrespective of colour, creed or culture.”

“Reimagining: Limerick Intercultural Week is for everyone.  Limerick is home to nearly 200,000 people and we want them all to feel part of this festival.  This is about celebrating Limerick in all its different forms.”

 

Event Date & Time Venue Theme
Welcome to Limerick: Connecting Communities Monday 17th October @ 6pm-8pm City Hall, Merchant’s Quay Community / Culture
Remember, Reflect, Reimagine: Intercultural Limerick Tuesday 18th October @ 8pm-10pm The Granary, Michael Street History / Development
Pop Up: Sounds of the World 1 Wednesday 19th October @ 7pm-9pm LYS, Glentworth St Music / Youth
Diablo Wednesday 19th October @ 7.30-9.30pm The Halla, Mary Immaculate Art / Culture
Irish World Music Cafe Thursday 20th October @ 12pm-2pm Central Buildings, 51a O’Connell St Music / Culture
Hatricks and Hijabs Thursday 20th October @ 10am-4pm Limerick Schools Education/ Sport
Pop Up: Sounds of the World 2 Thursday 20th October @ 7pm-9pm LYS, Northside Cafe Music / Youth
Sports for All: Come and Play Thursday 20th October @ 6.30pm-8pm Delta Sports Dome Sport / Community
The Human Library Thursday 20th October @ 1pm-2pm City Gallery Culture / Community
Connecting Communities: Working Together for a Safer Limerick Friday 21st October @ 4pm-7pm Henry Street Garda Station Community / Service
Befriending: Getting to Know our Neighbours Saturday 22nd October @ 11am-1pm Quaker Meeting House, Ballinacurra Community/Culture
What would you take? Monday 17th – Sunday 23rd October @ 9am-5pm The Granary Art / Community
World Food Festival Sunday 23rd October @ 11am-4pm The Milk Market Food / Community

 

Richard is a presenter, producer, songwriter and actor. He was named the Limerick Person of the Year (2011) and won an online award at the Metro Éireann Media and Multicultural Awards (2011) for promoting multi-culturalism online. Richard says that the ilovelimerick.com concept is very much a community driven project that aims to document life in Limerick. So, that in 20 years time people can look back and remember the events that were making the headlines.