A warm weekend in town

Last Saturday I was in town and happened to find myself in O’Connell Street and ended up in Eason’s. Henry Winkler, star of ‘Happy Days’ (1970s US show) was in the store. He is now in his 60s and I decided to go up to him and shake his hand.Mr Winkler is in Ireland to promote a book for children he has written and was in Eason’s on a book signing session. The versatile actor is charming and as if to underline this he is an Obama fan. Well isn’t everyone. It was a real pleasure to meet him.

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The familiar song with the lines: “Grafton Street’s a wonderland…” is wafting through the aforementioned strip in central Dublin. Pony & Traps, men with cloth caps over their heads and the greeting: “Top o’ the morning to ye” – these are all part of the anachronistic, stereotypical image of Irish life.

That however, is the old Dublin and those spending time in the Fair City nowadays will be greeted by many foreign languages, dialects and accents. Dublin, Ireland indeed, is changing and a more diverse way of living has undoubtedly begun despite the bitter recession. In this country we have moved from an underdeveloped pit of boredom to an exciting multicultural arena. I for one am immensely proud that my homeland is now host to an amount of ethnicity, never previously seen in ‘The Emerald Isle’. However everyone must play an active role in integration. No one should feel excluded, nor should anyone back down in the face of racism.

An example of this growing multi-ethnic society was this weekend when the Irish Aid organisation presented the public with a carnival atmosphere for Africa Day. The fun all started at 12pm on Sunday and the venue was the Iveagh Gardens (behind the Department of Foreign Affairs, Iveagh House). As soon as I got to the entrance to the Iveagh Gardens, shade-wearing, gum chewing security men tightly controlled those entering the party.

Inside the gardens the place was jammed with lots of people. Porcelain white girls sporting exotic tattoos mingled with dazzling, ebony black African people and all present were moving around taking in the glorious sunshine. Many African countries were represented and each country had their own stall/tent, educating the public on the fabulous culture on offer in the continent of Africa. Traditional African board games were also displayed along with wood carvings and shiny, colourful dresses as a butterfly flew by.

Moving inside, a marquee (one of several) was set up and music was blasting through speakers and we were given a taste of music from Congolese musician, Niwel Tsumbu, who spoke briefly to Gerry Godley (Lyric FM). Tsumbu was probably the highlight for me of my time in the gardens. He makes a most wonderful sound with a simple acoustic guitar and I’d love to hear more of his music. Also in that marquee was a selection of African tribal rugs attached to the walls.

This was a truly wonderful event and it touched so many bases culturally. It reminded me of Peter Gabriel’s UK based, annual WOMAD festival. The difference being that this was solely to do with Africa. There was also plenty of opportunity to sample the best in African food as well as the usual ‘burger batters’ that seem to muscle their way into every event held these days. As I navigated around the Iveagh Gardens I pressed fleshed and networked/chatted with ordinary Africans and some wore amazing costume. I also managed to get some gorgeous pics with my digital camera which I will cherish.

But it’s families who dominate proceedings and there is plenty going on to keep them happy. My singularity and the fabulous ladies present bring a tear to my eye but with the great weather we are enjoying I soon cheer up. The centre of Dublin has never looked more like a part of Africa. I joke with some, asking for the next train to Abuja or Cape Town, which created an amount of consternation followed by laughter. There is even a prominent waterfall in the gardens and it prompts me to make the obvious comparison with the Victoria Falls.

On a slightly disappointing note there was no Zimbabwe tent. Surprising given the growing number of Zimbabweans here. Itayi Viriri was scheduled to speak but there’s no sight of the articulate Zimbabwean journalist. However no one could be unhappy on this day a chance for all Africans to express, if it weren’t obvious already, their pride. This was a colourful occasion; one that will, hopefully, be repeated every year – a terrific way to show off Dublin’s newly minted cultural diversity. An enjoyable day no matter where you come from, even in the midst of a recession.
© Ian Callagy 2009