A sharing of cultures was celebrated last weekend with the opening of the ‘Birds Flying High’ exhibition at An Grianan Theatre.
The art collection features over 30 Ukrainian artists (some professional, some amateur) who created bird images as a gesture of thanks to Irish people who have supported them this year.
Curated by Svetlana Babenko, the exhibition was named after the song by jazz singer Nina Simone.
All the artwork will be auctioned this coming Saturday, 17th October at An Grianan Theatre from 6pm.
This auction will be opened by Irish Times Journalist and Writer Michael Harding who will make a general reflection on Art and the situation in Ukraine.
15% of proceeds will go towards the Cathedral Quarter initiative in Letterkenny. Some proceeds of the sales will go to the artists themselves and some to cover the costs of the exhibition.
Speaking ahead of the auction, the curator of the exhibition Svetlana Babenko said she was delighted with last weekend’s launch: “There was a beautiful atmosphere here last Saturday as Irish people and Ukrainians mixed together and we were able to share our culture. The powerful collaboration between of An Grianán/IMC Navigator Jazz artist-in-residence Olesya Zdorovetska and local writer Denise Blake demonstrated a beautiful synergy between our two cultures.
“I am delighted that writer Michael Harding will be opening the auction. And we are very grateful to the people of Letterkenny and Donegal for all their support since we came to Ireland. So for us to give a part of the proceeds from the auction is our way of giving something back to the town”
The exhibition runs until 19th December and is supported by Donegal Intercultural Platform, the Arts office of Donegal County Council and An Grianian Theatre.
Cathaoirleach of Letterkenny Municipal District, Cllr Donal Kelly officially launched the exhibition last Saturday. See photos from the event here:
