27 June 2007 - Northern Ireland captivates Washington, DC
Washington, DC - More than 160 local people from Northern Ireland’s cities, towns and rural communities took center stage today at the opening of the Smithsonian Institution’s Folklife Festival.
The participants will showcase their contemporary culture to over one million visitors at the 41st Smithsonian Folklife Festival, which runs from June 27 – July 8, 2007.
Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, MP MLA, and Department of Finance and Personnel Minister, The Rt. Hon. Peter Robinson, MP MLA, who is representing the First Minister, joined the participants at the opening ceremony on Washington’s National Mall.
Speaking at the event, Mr. McGuinness, MP MLA said: “I have visited this city many times but today is different. Today I am here not just as a representative of one part of the community. Today I am proud, honored and humbled to speak to you as the joint leader of an administration which represents our entire society.
“A society not just in transition but in transformation; a society moving from division to one united in our celebration of diversity.
“When you meet our performers and participants you will see at first hand the vibrancy, diversity and creativity of our cultural life and its influence here in the United States and I am sure you will be pleasantly surprised.”
On display on the National Mall will be musicians, dancers, sports coaches, mural artists, cooks, biomass technicians, historians, a bodhran maker and lambeg drum makers to name but a few.
Mr. Robinson, MP MLA commented: “When you visit us - as I hope you will - you will be in no doubt about the astounding progress that is being made. Our two traditions are serving together in a new government. It is a government that is about change, about building, about progress, about promoting a confident and capable Northern Ireland and I believe there is no limit to what we can achieve together.
“Over the next two weeks our common heritage can be explored and experienced here. You will see innovation is central to our development and will be the springboard for our future prosperity.
“As we look to the future with hope, expectation and realism, we need only reflect on our common heritage to realize the potential for future relationships between our two countries.”
The Smithsonian Folklife Festival is the culmination of the Rediscover Northern Ireland program, which has been taking place in Washington, DC since March.
The program of over 60 arts and cultural events throughout the Washington area was aimed at raising U.S. awareness of Northern Ireland’s thriving economy, revitalized cities, unique and fascinating culture and its people’s sense of pride and passion. The program challenged and influenced perceptions of the region and illustrated the caliber and vitality of the region as a place to visit, invest, study, work and live.
Dr. Richard Kurin, Director of the Smithsonian Centre for Folklife and Cultural Heritage said: "We are delighted to have Northern Ireland as one of the programs for the 2007 Smithsonian Folklife Festival."
"This program will give the people of the region the opportunity to show off their artistic and cultural heritage to more than a million visitors and millions more through the media. Coming at a historic time of reconciliation, the Festival is well-timed to enable Americans to truly rediscover Northern Ireland."
The Rediscover Northern program is led by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure and is support by the other 10 government departments and by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. The program is co-sponsored by Titanic Quarter Ltd and the Ulster Bank.
This work has also been supported by the Northern Ireland Bureau, Northern Ireland’s diplomatic office based in Washington, DC, responsible for developing constructive relationships and promoting partnerships with government and regional organizations in the United States.
Media Notes:
1. The 2007 Smithsonian Folklife Festival will feature three programs. In addition to "Northern Ireland at the Smithsonian," other programs are "Mekong River: Connecting Cultures" and "The Roots of Virginia Culture."
The Folklife Festival, inaugurated in 1967, honors people from across the United States and around the world. With about 1 million visitors each year, the Festival unites presenters and performers in the nation's capital to celebrate the diversity of cultural traditions. It is produced by the Smithsonian's Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage.
View the Festival's Web site. 
The Festival is co-sponsored by the National Park Service.
The Festival is co-sponsored by the National Park Service.2. For a full list of those participating in both the Rediscover Northern Ireland program and the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, view the Rediscover Northern Ireland web site.