It’s hard to believe but the IMAGINE Arts Festival in Waterford is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year as it runs from October 19th- 29th. So many memories! But, the magic of IMAGINE really hit home last night as I was standing on the Quay in Waterford having just emerged from a showing of the French film, The Well Digger’s Daughter, at Greyfriars Church.
I fell into step with a slightly older man who had been at the film too and there we were talking about Jean de Florette, Monet, Impressionism, art exhibitions, John McKenna’s stunning reading of poetry and prose last Sunday; watercolours; photography, orchestras, history, The Theatre Royal …..
There wasn’t much traffic on the Quay but we were both so aware of being in Waterford, our place, with the River Suir flowing by as it has for thousands upon thousands of years and Reginald’s Tower soaking in every word we said. Just think how much that Tower has heard!
Although this man was a stranger to me, he felt like a friend ~someone who shares my love of ‘ The Arts.’ He may not be into poetry, nor me into opera, but we had so much in common. We were already talking about upcoming events. He stunned me by saying that no matter how many Festival Programmes he had picked up, he still hasn’t got one with him. I thought that was just me! So for everyone who is in the same boat, here is a link to the Festival’s site and programme! http://www.imagineartsfestival.com/
The range of events is absolutely amazing. This is a festival that lives up to its name ‘Imagine.’ It’s like the the Festival Committee went into imagination-land and came up with events that would have the widest appeal possible. I just love that sense of freedom, creativity and inspiration. There is such a mixture of genres to fire the imagination and after talking my ‘new’ friend on the Quay last night, I feel a real urge coming on to take out some watercolours ~ and try and capture boats on a river and go to hear an orchestra play.
The great thing is that there are still 6 days and nights left of this years’s Imagine Festival and I have both an online and a hard-copy of the programme! So, I know I’ll be whizzing in and out to Waterford. I hope I see you there and I hope I meet that smiling man from last night too who, no doubt, is still haunted by the delicious scenery we both loved in The Well Digger’s Daughter.
SOCIAL BRIDGE ~ Jean Tubridy connecting with you from Ireland 