Wickerman
e Night
UN days: December to March THE following are United Nations international days for action and remembrance taking place from midDecember to the end of March ‘06. The organisations - if not the UN
Even two blocks away, Gardaí were called to an illegal bonfire, as the safety of those at the fire had become threatened by anti-social behaviour. Down to the final cinder, the crowd at the Wicker Man revelled in the experience, without incident! "It is not a case of banning bonfires - they are social gatherings - it’s about organising such traditional festivities in a safe and organised environment, involving the local community in the process," said Sarah Williams, one of the organisers.
FUTURE PLANS "The success of this event was due to the dedicated hard work and goodwill of people who work and live in the Dublin Liberties area. If this event is resourced properly in the coming years, it will not only provide a safe environment to celebrate Halloween, but would also reduce the negative press and publicity usually surrounding this time of year," added Sarah. It didn’t cost the earth - around €3,500 in cash which came from the Irish Youth Foundation and the Youth Intervention Service. "The voluntary input was worth double that,
DECEMBER 10 Human Rights Day 11 International Children's Day 18 International Migrants Day JANUARY 1 World Day of Peace (Vatican) FEBRUARY 21 International Mother Language Day
at least," noted organiser Jim Gilsen. Any CDPs who feel they deal well with Halloween, turning it from a showcase for anti-social behaviour into a true community event are urged to contact ‘Changing Ireland’ with their approach. Other projects and communities may appreciate your tips. Telephone/e-mail details are on page 2. Check out the Liberties’ Wicker Man on 'Discovery Channel's ‘Six Degrees’ travel show. The burning will be the final scene of the hour-long show, due to air this December (date unavailable as we went to press).
How to build a Wicker Man THE Wicker Man idea was initially discussed in early 2005. However, the actual mechanics were set in motion a mere five weeks prior to the burning date. All aspects of preparation and organisation were initiated and completed during this short time-frame.
Materials used to build the Wicker Man were; willow rods, hazel branches, recycled wood, dried brush and copper for the eyes.
Eblana artists presented sessions on the engineering aspect of the project. Then the manual work began. Students from a local secondary school came after classes to soak, weave, chop, hammer and saw the wood. A group of community workers, volunteers and friends were drafted in on the evenings and weekends, to ensure that the structure would be ready for Halloween night. The man himself took three and a half weeks to create.
Halloween works in Clondalkin Community groups in Clondalkin this year held organised Halloween events including a scary film night, a haunted house and a fireworks display in St. Cuthbert's Park. The fun was organised by an umbrella changing ireland
group consisting of Dolcain CDP, local schools, the local youth service and other groups. They took place in both Bawnogue and St. Ronan's community centres and it is hoped to make the organised Halloween celebrations an annual event.
21
MARCH 8 International Women's Day and United Nations Day for Women's Rights and International Peace 21 International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination 21-28 UN Week of Solidarity with the Peoples Struggling against Racism and Racial Discrimination 22 Water Day. Note: Water is going to be a big issue from now on. Yet the UN and the World Health Organisation (WHO) both celebrate water on different days. WHO called their event the ‘World Day for Water’ and hold it on March 23rd. The year 2006 has been named by the UN as ‘International Year of Deserts and Desertification’. We are also in the middle of a number of ‘Decades’, including: 2001-2010: International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-violence for the Children of the World. 2001-2010: Second International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism. 2003-2012: United Nations Literacy Decade: Literacy for All . 2005-2014: United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development.
the average housefly lives for one month