Friday 25 September. Belfast's Cathedral Quarter buzzed with laughter, music and song last night as it played host to Culture Night. Artists, musicians and performers showcased their talents in streets and venues all around this old part of the city. The weather was mild and dry and people had turned out in their hundreds. Commercial Court, an entry off Donegall Street, reminded us of a continental street scene with people eating and drinking outside. We ate in Printers Cafe Bar, packed inside and out by people clearly caught up in the positive spirit of the event. We moved on to a nearby carpark, that had been transformed by Friends of the Earth into a supervised bike park doubling up as a tealight-in-a-jar lit venue for singer songwriters.
Surprises were everywhere. On turning one corner we bumped into a differently-abled choir. They were brilliant and got us all engaged in joining in and keeping time. They performed an African piece during which even they were surprised when a woman from Zimbabwe clearly delighted at seeing her own culture represented joined them at the front, dancing and singing with those gorgeous ululations that won the appreciation of the ever-growing audience. There was much, much more.
Two things strike me about the event. The artists and artisans were anchored to their venue on our behalf. Each was a strand to this weave of cultural diversity. We got to see the mesh and the whole picture, they didn't. But without them and their individual contributions the effect would have been so much less. So thank you to them.
My second thought is that I have rambled these streets since early childhood, our family shop was there and my school. I have watched its decline over the years and its recent steps to recovery. I have never seen the area so vibrant as I did last night. So thank you to the organisers. Please. Bring it on again!
