We’re nearly there!
The Mother Tongues Festival is back for all of May this year, just in time to celebrate the World Day of Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. The 2021 programme features over 40 artists and a series of events available in 20 different languages, with a rich menu of panel discussions, workshops, online exhibitions and many events for all ages.
Though we’ll be mostly online this year, community and participation is always at the heart of Mother Tongues, so you will enjoy exciting experiences like the Walk A While Arts Project and Music & Poetry Cafes that will facilitate engaging conversations and real-life experiences.
Here are some events to look out for in the first week!
Let’s Learn English Through Drama
Creative Drama is an integrative process that develops imaginative thought and creative expression in participants. This workshops will offer a unique opportunity for you to improve your English language skills while exploring your creative side. We will focus on the ‘doing’ rather than on ‘presenting’ activities, helping your imagination and your confidence at the same time. No theatre experience is needed, but it is most suitable for intermediate learners and above.
WILIČE A Short Film By Barbara Knezevic & Alice Rekab.
Fitting somewhere in between a script, a catharsis, and a history lesson, this short film takes its origins from imaginary topographies, partisan monuments, ancient fragments of domestic life and Irish, Syrian, Serbian, Croatian and West African folktales (real or fabricated). Wiliče is interested in the creative interpretation of provenance, tradition, and the other stories we tell ourselves about who we are, where we come from and where we are going.
GOODBYE PAPÁ (ENG/ESP/ITA & ENG/FRA/ITA)
A short film in two versions created by Teatro Multilingue as part of the #Europe21 trilogy.
English Father dies all of a sudden in Egypt, leaving “half of his body” to his Son in Italy and the other “half” to his daughter in Spain/France, both of whom he had abandoned at age six. The two siblings have never met and are now getting ready for the two separate funerals.
Dreams Interwoven A poetry & watercolour workshop with Eliana Valentini.
Bring out your inner artists and gain expressive skills suitable for capturing special moments in your life or other art performances at the Dreams Interwoven workshop with Eliana Valentini. An experienced illustrator and painter, she will guide you through a basic watercolour and drawing workshop. The workshop will introduce art techniques that make responding to impulses fun and creative.
CONTATTO is a new video project showcasing the stories of artists living and working in Ireland and focusing on their experiences and challenges entering the arts scene in this country.
Project creators Elena Cristofanon and Francesca La Morgia wanted to continue the conversation about diversity and inclusion in the arts that had started at the Mother Tongues Festival in 2020, just before the first lockdown.
Having worked on the festival programme together since the idea of the festival developed over a cup of tea, Francesca and Elena decided to give a platform for artists to speak about how the Irish cultural scene could embrace diversity in a more meaningful way.
Click here to learn more about the 2021 Mother Tongues Festival Programme and to get your tickets!
The Mother Tongues Festival is supported by the Arts Council, South Dublin County Council Arts Office & Creative Ireland, Ambassade de France en Irlande – French Embassy in Ireland, Draiocht, Civic Theatre & Rua Red, Post Primary Language Ireland, and Rather Gather.
A big thank you to our supporters and team, who have been working behind the scenes to make the 2021 Festival possible!
And follow us for some special announcements coming soon!