by Kathy Masterson
IRELAND’S first citizen Michael D Higgins believes that the ‘Made in Limerick’ initiative will ensure that Limerick’s City of Culture year “will leave a strong and lasting legacy that can be enjoyed for many years to come”.
President Higgins viewed some of the Made in Limerick projects in John’s Square during a tour of the city on Monday after he was made a Freeman of Limerick at a ceremony in the Milk Market.
He also visited the Limerick traditional boats exhibition at Saint Mary’s Cathedral.
“The arts are a powerful medium through which experiences can be communicated and they, therefore, play a fundamental role in the discovery of common meanings, and, above all, are free to bring imagined worlds and processes into being,” commented the President.
“As human beings, we have a basic need to convey and to share our experiences with fellow citizens and leave traces for future generations, and the power of creativity lies at the very heart of that process.”
President Higgins said it was “very inspiring” to read the list of successful Made in Limerick projects, such as the Georgian Pop Up Museum, the ‘Are You Dancing’ project, the Particles or Waves collaborative and Noye’s Fludde.
He then congratulated all participants in the Made in Limerick initiative, and all those who have been working to ensure that Limerick’s City of Culture year is a success.
The President concluded: “I commend and thank you all for your recognition of the vital role that arts and culture play in producing dynamic, creative and reflective societies – the kind of societies which we wish to inhabit, contribute to and flourish in.”
