Ballyfermot Library – Unique dance programme
By Samantha Derenthal
The Ballyfermot Library is now the focus of a unique dance programme from November 2018 to February 2019.
Over three months, children from four Ballyfermot Schools will watch professional dancers in their local library, then respond and create their own work which they will perform in front of a local audience.
Dancers performing. Photo by Patricio Cassinoni
An initial contemporary dance piece ‘Flora Fauna’ was performed on November 7 under direction of the acclaimed Swedish choreographer, Maria Nilsson Waller.
Then, through partnership with CDETB Music Centre Kylemore College, musicians Enda Cloke and Jane Hughes will join Maria to support the children in exploring dance to create their own performances.
Maria Nilsson Waller is an acclaimed freelance dance artist and choreographer based in Dublin where she continues to create as an independent artist, dividing her work between Ireland and Sweden.
This dance programme is part of Dublin City Council’s hugely successful Children’s Art in Libraries (CAL) Programme.
Since 2010, Dublin City Arts Office have organised programmes of free events so that children, young people and families across the city could access many high quality Arts Programmes via the network of Dublin City Public Libraries.
City Librarian Brendan Teeling said, “It’s great that public library spaces are used for their resources, but even more so for the experiences that children and adults enjoy. The Children’s Art in Libraries Programme has meant that children have a more immersive experience in culture and their own doorstep too.”
More recently, Creative Hubs are being formed to sustain the arts experience for children in their own library and locality, by linking up organisations in the community with an interest in developing the arts locally.
Ballyfermot Library is the first such Creative Hub.
Dublin City Arts Officer Ray Yeates said, “We are delighted to have an artist as internationally experienced as Maria to collaborate with children in Ballyfermot.
“Not only is the dance programme a great opportunity for children to express themselves with confidence and creativity, but also for us to work with partners to build local connection and future possibility.”
For more information email Irmagrothuis [at] gmail [dot] com
