This Irish Research Council sponsored project examines the role of interculturalism in Irish theatre and performance from 1994-2013, hypothesising that Irish interculturalism is unique internationally.
Between 1996 and 2011, the non-Irish born population of Ireland grew from less than 5% to 17%. This project assesses Irish strategies of interculturalism as a response to rapid inward-migration by examine the work of Irish theatre artists, public festivals and community arts or social organisations that focus on intercultural themes.
We aim to make a major intervention in the field of theatre and performance studies by investigating Irish interculturalism as a social process as well as a technique of aesthetic innovation. What happens when the arts are called upon to further and reflect state goals of interculturalism? What emergent identities become possible within Irish discourses of interculturalism for both majority and minority ethnic members of Irish society?
As debates about the success of multiculturalism throughout Europe continue, our project considers the more recent introduction of 'interculturalism' as a renovated social policy keyword through our Irish case study. By looking from Ireland to the rest of Europe and beyond, this project poses urgent international consequences amid continuing debates about migration, diversity and social cohesion in the European Union and other national contexts.
Between 1996 and 2011, the non-Irish born population of Ireland grew from less than 5% to 17%. This project assesses Irish strategies of interculturalism as a response to rapid inward-migration by examine the work of Irish theatre artists, public festivals and community arts or social organisations that focus on intercultural themes.
We aim to make a major intervention in the field of theatre and performance studies by investigating Irish interculturalism as a social process as well as a technique of aesthetic innovation. What happens when the arts are called upon to further and reflect state goals of interculturalism? What emergent identities become possible within Irish discourses of interculturalism for both majority and minority ethnic members of Irish society?
As debates about the success of multiculturalism throughout Europe continue, our project considers the more recent introduction of 'interculturalism' as a renovated social policy keyword through our Irish case study. By looking from Ireland to the rest of Europe and beyond, this project poses urgent international consequences amid continuing debates about migration, diversity and social cohesion in the European Union and other national contexts.