7.4 (1) Commemoration or celebration? Mood as to how a state reflects on the legacy of 1916 Contentiously the commemoration events of 1916 will be viewed by some as a celebration of the founding of the Irish state and by others as a commemoration of 16 men who were martyred in the name of the country. Therefore to commemorate or celebrate the events can be divisive. Respondents were asked if there should be a ‘commemoration or celebration’. 28 of 34 who returned surveys stated they wished to commemorate the event. 2 said both commemoration and celebration, 3 said celebration and 1 unanswered. When asked how as a nation Ireland should remember the events of 1916 and what core themes should run through a commemoration or celebration some stated political, sacrifice in 1916, independence in 1921 and remembrance themes should be central whilst also symbolism must be evident. Others stated there was “Unfinished business – the Free State which is the 26 counties has left behind 6 counties in the north of Ireland known as Northern Ireland” and Irish dead in the First World War should be remembered. Others felt that large civic events should be ‘historical if possible’ and individuals could commemorate ‘as they wish’ whilst some were cautious about the date and stated it should be commemorated ‘carefully’. Others suggested that ‘we should celebrate becoming a nation it’s not complicated really we can celebrate becoming a nation without emphasising ‘winners and losers’ (Reference to Dan Mulhall talk) and they were ‘proud to be Irish and would like to see a respectful and joyful celebration at the birth of our nation’. Others stated that historical accuracy should be central stating ‘remembering events faithful to their historical context’. Others stated a ‘sense of community’ should be a core theme for the events, whilst wider themes that discussed Irish achievements across the last 100 years which would place past alongside present such as ‘independence, survival, economic successes, literature and culture’. Others sought an impartial ‘balanced view on the reasons for the Rising, what was good and what was not so good under British rule’ and to ‘celebrate the foundation of Ireland as it is today’.
When asked ‘Do you think it is appropriate to celebrate 1916 at a local level in the UK? If yes what do you think can be delivered to commemorate 1916? Are there any particular events that you think would be suitable to commemorate 1916 in your local area?’ Respondents replied they wanted local Irish cultural centres to play a role and deliver events such as ‘information events, films, debates etc.’ literature, exhibitions and plays. Others felt the historical aspect should be celebrated in GB and that ‘we should celebrate Irish independence – not sure that Easter 1916 is the right date to choose’. Others felt that ‘stirring up tension, being easily mis-understood, might not be wise” but that “fair minded commemoration/celebration is fine” as long as it is “not in some-ones face to provoke”. Others felt that cultural celebrations around 1916 should be “Linked to St Patrick’s day” and areas such as Luton where there are high demographics of Irish should be a focal point for events. Others felt that it should not be a “celebration, commemorate with talks and films” whilst others stated ‘Easter Sunday is generally celebrated by older Irishmen’. Some voices expressed that ‘it should be commemorated in Ireland’ and ‘not at a local level in the UK’. Whilst others stated ‘The poets of that time their lives and how 1916 put a stop to the leaders of the rising writing more of their poetry and pamphlets for example P. Pearse’ should be examined. Locally they stated they would like to see Irish community hubs and forums deliver events and cultural evenings such as a short play, documentary or film connected to the decade. They also stated they would like more talks and dialogue events around the decade to take place in local Irish centres and consulates. Several voices stated that they have had ‘little experience’ of commemorating Irish historical events from the 20th century in Britain whilst others stated ‘We Irish in Britain like to keep connected to our history’ and that Irish historical commemorations numbered ‘very few unfortunately’ in Britain and that ‘different versions of history are taught in schools in Britain vs. Ireland and therefore giving the British people more information about our mutual history would be helpful’. Possible action – Joint board of history between the islands and north/south which could jointly develop school curriculum materials and programme of events to be delivered and organised at local level across UK.
7.4 (11) Accessible Records Accessible records and media which can be disseminated and available to the public will be a key resource in the DOC period. Respondents were asked ‘Materials pertaining to the period will be made available through databases, websites and public records for example. How best would you like to access information on the events of this period? Books, films, documentaries, public records or other? Please outline’ A vast number of respondents stated ‘documentaries’ to be leveraged as the key communication tool. Others stated ‘Online, TV, film, debates/public events, concerts maybe’ and ‘Via the Luton Irish forum and forums throughout’ and ‘documentaries, mixed media (Text/Video, Unlimited length) books’ and ‘Sites similar to the 1901/1911 census are a good example’ and ‘a drama as a build up to the event” and ‘websites’ and ‘public records’ and ‘online’ and ‘internet’ and exhibitions. and ‘documentaries, but well-advertised in newspapers etc.’ and ‘via the internet in a proper online audio library’ and ‘by any means possibly particularly in our secondary schools and by regular meetings as already being held in Luton Irish Forum’. Whilst schools and colleges could run an Irish history week/month and teaching around such could be delivered to school children. It was also suggested literature and poetry could be explored from the period. Others felt mediums should be leveraged to assist with the reach of the events such as ‘education in history’, ‘seminars’, ‘exhibitions’, ‘TV/Social Media’ and ‘genealogy’ should be central and ‘the reasons and intentions of the leaders to have a free and independence Ireland’ should be discussed. On how to record the history of the decade audience members suggested families hand down stories and trace the history of the time through the families of present day. A possible deliverable action for this could be large oral history projects across the UK and Ireland in which to collect materials and research styled upon Stephen Spielberg’s database of Holocaust survivors. An Irish story could do something similar with 3 narratives, unionist, nationalist, and dissenter and give a balanced perspective and viewpoint on history. A database of relatives could be established during decade of commemorations period and a call out globally for submissions of stories via a portal and this could then act as an archive.
________________________________________________________________________________ 13, 14 Sherwin, Sean, Fianna Fail (Apr 2014) interviewed in person Society and south may also wish to move from being prisoners of the past to one which commemorates whilst celebrating and thus ‘depoliticise’ a situation by moving from one perspective to another and events that could be delivered could encapsulate or project a ‘commemorating whilst celebrating’ theme “It has been said by others that commemoration is often not so much a case of remembering the past but making a political point about the present. Therefore ‘depoliticising’ issues is challenging. Moving from one perspective to another actually might not necessarily depoliticise things but more so emphasise that different political and cultural perspectives and interpretations of these events that exist. But that’s not a bad thing. It is not asking people to agree or buy into the interpretation of the ‘other side’ – merely helps to builds openness to and perhaps understanding of the views of others” and “the ‘celebration’ part of the theme could therefore be a consequence of inclusive approaches to commemoration – i.e. that such approaches promote tolerance and inclusivity and an acceptance of difference. This is more so an implicit ‘celebration’ of diversity in a modern context rather than a celebration of an actual anniversary. Many people could find the concept of ‘celebrating’ events such as WW1 and Civil War etc. (and the loss of life etc) as a difficult and concept. If dissonant groups want to display force or put their particular view up a flagpole there is very little that can be done to stop that and it’s probably futile even trying but what we can do is take every effort to present a shared story and shared approach where that can be organised” 14 H.E. Chilcott D. (British Ambassador to Ireland Apr 2014) concurs with this and stated that the British embassy Ireland wishes “to be part of an approach to commemorations allows people to express themselves in the way they want to but in a context where doing that isn’t seen by other groups as being hostile” 15. putting
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Event Proposal Number 2 – Civic Concert “A Celebration of Commemoration” Musical collaborations in 2016 – examine (Madeline O’Connor ?) and perform music from 1910’s/1920s – have modern key artists (stars) perform those works in a large civic concert with community musicians as the support orchestra. BBC Artistic Director Guy Freeman, BBC1 Radio 1 Head of Music George Ergatoudis, BBC Head of Events Phil Dolling (?)