Ierse cultuur tentoongesteld tijdens open dag Justus Lipsius gebouw (en)

Each year, to mark Europe Day, the doors of the institutions are opened to the public. Ireland, as holder of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, has been invited to participate and showcase aspects of her culture in the Council’s Justus Lipsius on Saturday May 4th.

Over 7000 people are expected to come through the doors to learn a little more of how the Council works and learn a little more of the country of the Presidency of the Council of the EU.

Ireland’s international image has many facets-a land of saints and scholars, a land of music and dance, a land where tradition and modernity meld. At Open Day in Brussels, the Irish Presidency is providing just a flavour of the rich culture of Ireland, and a demonstration of how the traditional complements, enhances and inspires the modern-whether that is through food, dance or science. A sampling of Irish food will be given to visitors on the day along with the following interactive demonstrations:

Science and Innovation: Clarity

Clarity is the Science Foundation Ireland Centre for Science, Engineering and Technology (CSET). Led by Professor Barry Smyth, the CLARITY CSET is a partnership between University College Dublin, Dublin City University and Tyndall National Institute. It is a research centre that focuses on the bringing together two important research areas - Adaptive Sensing and Information Discovery. The overarching theme of CLARITY's research programme is bringing information to life- helping to ensure that everyone has access to the right information at the right time.

This event showcases the groundbreaking art exhibit-“Look Both Ways”, a collaboration of Clarity, and visual artists Cleary & Connolly. Inspired by a 1912 photograph by Jacque Lartigue which shows distortion in motion, Cleary & Connolly have produced a groundbreaking video art installation which produces the same temporal deformation as Lartigue’s photograph, but on the visitor’s image in real time, allowing the public to step out of the role of observer and become part of the art.

Irish Dance: Brussels Set Dancers

Irish dance shows such as Riverdance have brought an aspect of Ireland’s culture to a new and wider audience. It is a dance steeped in history and a tradition which stretches back over centuries but it is also a dance which has been open to and absorbed new cultures, new methods, and new forms. The display by the Brussels Set Dancers (which includes Ireland’s Perm Rep's very own, Eimear Friel) incorporates step and set dancing -two traditional forms of the dance. Read more about Irish dance.

Irish Craft: Kathleen McCormick

The Crafts Council of Ireland, supported by Culture Ireland, presents a showcase of the best of Ireland's craft and design in the lobby and Floor 50 of Justus Lipsius building. The installations, which were curated by Jonathan Legge, consist of floor and wall coverings, tables and chairs, sofas and lighting, and many crafted objects in ceramics, glass and wood, arranged for use. The pieces have been designed and made by more than 30 craftspeople registered with the Crafts Council of Ireland.

One of the beautiful pieces on show is a handmade lampshade by Kathleen McCormick-a basket weaver of renown whose hand-woven pieces are made using willow grown by Kathleen. These willows are being used in the Open Day event to demonstrate the techniques that go into making “Scoibs”-traditional Irish baskets used for straining potatoes-techniques which can also be employed to make contemporary designs.

See images and read more information about the Justus Lipsius Irish craft exhibition.

Liz Christy

Liz Christy, a member of the Craft Council of Ireland and works with traditional materials in her studio in County Monaghan, a setting which provides inspiration for her colourful range of hand-woven woollens. The little sheep key rings on display are handcrafted so each is unique. Painted by hand and enveloped with hand-dyed wool these are a lovely quirky example of modern Irish craft. Visit Liz Christy’s web showroom.

Find more information about the Open Day on our event page or on the Council's website.