REMARKS BY PRESIDENT OF IRELAND, MARY McALEESE AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE HOUSTO
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT OF IRELAND, MARY McALEESE AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE HOUSTON INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL
Mayor Brown, Mr Ferguson, Distinguished Members of the City Council, Ladies & Gentlemen and, most importantly, children of Houston,
I am delighted to be with you at this opening event of the Houston International Festival 2001. It is a source of enormous pride to me, to the people of Ireland, and to the Irish Community here in Texas, that the Festival this year is spotlighting Ireland.
I would like to pay tribute to the Festival organisers who have done a magnificent job in preparing for this event. No doubt you encountered all the usual headaches, panics and daily crises that are an inevitable part of an undertaking like this, but your hard work, commitment and vision have been truly rewarded here today. You have captured many different aspects of modern Ireland, but it comes as no surprise to me that it is Irish culture that literally takes centre-stage at the Festival. We in Ireland have always been proud of fact that in the cultural sphere, Irish writers and musicians have always punched well above their weight, with an international reach and impact far beyond what might be expected of a small country. But as this Festival shows, we have not rested on past glories. A new generation of artists, writers, actors, film makers and musicians have added their own genius to our already rich store of talent, and I am delighted that the Festival showcases both the established and recent icons of modern Irish culture.
I suspect that one of the Festival’s most popular displays will be the re-creation of the Dublin of hundred years ago that inspired the writing of James Joyce. Those of you who have visited our capital city in recent years will have the pleasure of seeing what has changed, as well as identifying what has remained the same a century later. And I hope that those who haven’t yet come to our shores will be inspired to visit us soon. You can be assured of a wonderful welcome and as the poet, Francis Ledwidge has put it:
‘Come often friend; with welcome and surprise
We’ll greet you from the sea or from the town;
Come when you like and from whatever skies
Above you smile or frown’.
There is a central aspect of this Festival which marks it out as special, and that is its outreach to young people through the education programme. Earlier this morning I had the pleasure of visiting Lantrip Elementary School and seeing the programme brought to life by the work of the children there. Their enjoyment and enthusiasm has helped make this truly what an international festival should be - a deepening of friendship and a celebration by young and old of the rich diversity of our cultures.
I am delighted to see that many members of the Irish community are present at this event, including some who have travelled long distances to be here. This Festival is a source of particular joy and pride for the Irish community here, and I have no doubt that in the best tradition of both Texas and Ireland, you’ll make this a celebration worth remembering.
I congratulate you, Mr. Mayor on this beautiful venue and, as I look at these wonderful children, I know that the future of Houston is in the best of hands.
I would like to once again thank all those who have been involved in the preparation of this year’s festival. I wish you all every joy as we celebrate the culture of Ireland, Houston and the heritage that we bear in trust for all our children.
Thank You.