Imram 2021: Celebrating Irish Literature and Music with a Modern Twist
Imram, a Dublin literary festival, has showcased Irish singers performing Gaelic versions of songs by renowned artists like Bob Dylan, Taylor Swift, Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, and now Phoebe Bridgers. This year's Imram edition features Dairena Ní Chinnéide and Caitríona Ní Chléirchín translating some of Bridgers' famous songs into Gaelic, to be sung by the Feirste singer Aoibha at the Amhráin na Gealaí event at the Smock Alley Theatre on November 22. Imram, which began in 2004, aims to promote Irish literature to the public in Ireland, starting this Saturday with a grand night of poetry and music featuring Louis de Paor, Emma Ní Mhathúna, and Máire Dinny Wren reading from their works. Macdara Ó Faoláin, a young musician who won a TG4 Music Award last year, will perform on the night. The director of Imram, Liam Carson, believes that projects like translating Taylor Swift's songs into Irish are attracting new audiences to the language.
Imram has been successful in drawing a younger crowd interested in supporting the Irish language, as evidenced by the turnout at events like the Taylor Swift project. Carson sees this as a positive sign of growing interest in the language among the youth. The festival will feature a diverse range of events running between this Saturday and the end of the month. Highlights include Professor Michael Cronin interviewing the writer, poet, and author for young people, Áine Ní Ghlinn, at Books Upstairs on Monday, November 17. Another noteworthy event is a night dedicated to the cailleach, a figure in Irish folklore. Imram has commissioned Dairena Ní Chinnéide, Laoighseach Ní Choistealbha, Eithne Ní Ghallchobhair, and the Scottish poet Caitrìona Lexy Campbell to write new poetry in honor of the cailleach. The singer from Connaught, Rois, will perform at the event, and Margaret Lonergan will also host an exhibition at 19 Sráid Dawson on Tuesday, November 18.
Imram's exhibitions significantly enhance the impact of these unique literary events, allowing the audience to engage with the literature. The festival also includes a series of lectures in English to provide a broader perspective on Irish literature. Among these lectures, Alan Titley, a prominent Irish novelist and columnist, will deliver a talk titled "Neither Shillelaghs nor Shamrock – the other Irish novel." Titley highlights the importance of over 300 Irish novels published since the 19th century, emphasizing the rich literary tradition in the Irish language. Imram offers a comprehensive program of events at various locations around Dublin from November 8 to 23, providing detailed information on their website.
In conclusion, Imram continues to be a platform for promoting Irish literature and music, attracting diverse audiences with innovative projects like translating popular songs into Gaelic. The festival's lineup of events promises a rich cultural experience for attendees, showcasing the vibrancy of the Irish language and its literary heritage.