Festival of World Cultures 2008

The Festival of World Cultures is now in its 8th year and takes place over three days from Friday 22nd August to Sunday 24th August 2008, in Dun Laoghaire, Ireland.

The headline ticketed concerts have been announced as Tiken Jah Fakoly, Éthiopiques, Yungchen Lhamo, Orchestre National De Barbes, Banaya, Seu Jorg, Sa Dingding, and Balkan Beat Box.

There will also be a seafront Parade, Wagon Circle frolics at Port Whoopee, a 3D pavement art exhibition, Axis Mundi projection installation, all day events in the Kingston Garden - including late night jazz sessions, a Poetry Slam, International Storytelling and a Japanese Tea House hosted by two genuine Geisha from Kyoto.

In addition the ever popular Global Village presents a textile showcase and the Dun Laoghaire Mela, celebrating South Asian arts, features a dramatic Kathakali play. This year Dean Nos/Bris Nos takes place throughout the Kingston Hotel with unique Irish and international collaborations including Kila's Rossa Ó Snodaigh with Morocco's Hassan Erraji at the Festival Club. The new Festival Cafe offers a diverse range of food traders, a bar and bouncy summer tunes from the Mr Whippy Soundsystem.

Dun Laoghaire is set once again for a spectacular global carnival weekend, which will see 800 musicians and artists, plus another 1,000 participants and volunteers descend on the seaside town to take part in 150 live gigs, performances and events throughout the town. The event will have a diverse and expanding programme of music (several free outdoor music concerts), circus, theatre, dance, club nights, markets, exhibitions, workshops and activities for children.

To buy tickets for the headline concerts, priced from €25 to €32 depending on concert, click here.

Controversial Chinese Superstar Sa Dingding to headline Festival of World Cultures playing at the Pavilion Theatre on Sunday 24th August.

Other acts playing on Friday include John Martin & Tee Boucherie, Trad Trio, Erik Noon & Txaranga, Scribble Label Night, Kingston Express!, Manu & His Latino House, Billy Ó Hanluain, and Babalonia.

Saturday sees Déan Nós/ Bris Nós presents Festival Club, Banaya - West African Griots, Seu Jorge, Tiken Jah Fakoly, Dr. Fiasco, Mr Whippy Soundsystem, Samba da Rua & O'Neill Pipe Band, Bridgy, Kings Court Gospel Choir, Liam Ó Maonlaí, Senses, Lobsang Dargye, Andy Irvine, Soul Driven, Disco Brasil!, Moonshine, Utsav Lal, Angel Flamenco & Friends, Amsterdam Beat Club, Jerome Rimson & The Inner City Blues Band, Oleku, Tarab, Homespun Soundsystem, FéileAfrica, Axis Mundi, Dún Laoghaire Mela, Lungi, and People's Park Family Events, and a Geisha Performance.

Sunday has Balkan Beat Box, Fanfare Piston, Ojemba, Lisa Hannigan, Mr Whippy Soundsystem, Samba da Rua & O'Neill Pipe Band, Jorge Reyes, Sergent Garcia, DJ Nigel Wood, Motema, North Strand Klezmer Band, Bones of Cork, The Foghorn Duo, Homespun Soundsystem, Zrazy, Lazik, Luz da Madrugada, Yurodny, Afrobass, Orient Express, and Ruaille Buaille's Balkan Fever.

Plus an International Soccer Tournament, Axis Mundi, Exhibitions and Dialogue, 3D Pavement Art, Storytelling, dance, workshops and Sand Sculptures and more.

There is a World Craft Fair and Global Village – in association with Oxfam Ireland, featuring arts, crafts and food from every continent, plus Festival Talks focusing on culture and on global issues. There are also workshops, family events, street theatre and dance, and a host of late-night parties.

More information will be here when available.

Latest Updates