From Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
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Tonight the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence, Micheál Martin, will open the first event of Zeitgeist Irland 24, a season of Irish arts and culture which will take place across Germany throughout 2024.
Zeitgeist Irland 24 is a partnership between the Department of Foreign Affairs and Culture Ireland, mobilising a strategic joint investment of more than €2.5 million to deepen Ireland’s cultural engagement with Germany as a key partner in Europe.
The full programme is available on the Zeitgeist Irland 24 website.
More than 120 projects involving over 400 artists and arts professionals are already confirmed for the season, taking place in over 100 cities and towns across the Federal Republic, spanning all art forms, and featuring Irish artists based in both Ireland and Germany.
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin, commented:
“I am delighted to be in Berlin with my colleague Dr. Anna Lührmann, Minister of State for Europe and Climate of the Federal Republic of Germany, to launch Ireland’s season of culture in Germany, Zeitgeist Irland 24, bringing a new generation of Irish artists to audiences across Germany.
"The evening will celebrate the launch of this significant initiative that is the result of an innovative partnership between the Department of Foreign Affairs and Culture Ireland.
"Together, we have invested over €2.5 million to deepen Ireland’s cultural engagement with Germany, one of our key European partners.”
Speaking today, Minister for Tourism, Arts, Culture, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin, said:
“I wish Zeitgeist Irland 24 every success. I have no doubt that the event tonight, and the programme as a whole, will be a resounding success with so many highly regarded Irish artists taking part. My separtment, in particular through Culture Ireland and Tourism Ireland, is delighted to partner with the Irish Embassy in Berlin to present this curated season in collaboration with a diverse range of German cultural institutions, venues and festivals.
“This season of Irish arts in Germany will give Irish artists a unique opportunity to present their work to German audiences and, to develop long-lasting relationships with German venues and presenters. The programme announced today will showcase an inspiring curated season of high-quality contemporary Irish arts and culture.
“Culture Ireland has responsibility for the promotion of Irish arts globally and along with Tourism Ireland, both of which operate within my department, will provide funding over €1.5 million for ZI24 in addition to the €1 million being provided by the Department of Foreign Affairs. This is a significant investment by Government in the German market to enhance opportunities for Irish artists.”
The opening event for Zeitgeist Irland 24 takes place in the Metropol in Berlin with a strong line-up of contemporary Irish performers including:
Zeitgeist Irland is a flagship initiative under the Global Ireland 2025 strategy and was first flagged as a key action in the 2018 strategic review of Ireland’s relations with Germany including the strengthening of cultural links with Germany.
Aside from a strong cultural affinity Germany remains Ireland’s second largest source of inward investment, third largest source of tourists, fourth largest overall trading partner and fifth largest market for food exports.
Zeitgeist Irland will create new opportunities for artists and companies across art-forms to perform across Germany as well as developing their long-term networks of contacts with German-based artists and cultural institutions.
The Irish Embassy in Berlin, Consulate General in Frankfurt and Tourism Ireland are working alongside Culture Ireland to co-fund, plan and deliver the programme.