Temple Bar Cultural Trust
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Wednesday 12th September 2007
Call To �Reset Dublin�s Cultural Clock�...
Dublin�s cultural organisations should review their opening hours with a view to making arts and culture more accessible to the general public according to Dermot McLaughlin, CEO of Temple Bar Cultural Trust, organisers of Culture Night 2007.
Speaking in advance of the biggest free cultural event of the year Culture Night, Mr. McLaughlin said that lifestyles of people are changing with most working between 9am-5pm, which are also the standard opening hours for the city�s cultural venues. �Our lifestyles are changing however retaining the old traditions of limited opening hours means that access to arts and culture is restricted to the average person. Last year the reaction from the general public for Culture Night was fantastic and it illustrates the demand and requirement for late night opening.� he said.
�The cultural venues all got behind and supported Culture Night 2006 and saw the benefits. We believe everyone needs to work together to open up the city�s cultural offering and remove the main obstacle that prevents people getting easy access to and enjoyment from the arts and culture in our Capital. We need to re-set our clocks so they are back in sync with people�s lifestyles.�
Many arts venues are closed on Mondays, in the evenings and have limited Sunday opening hours. In addition the urban sprawl has made it difficult for people to enjoy the city�s cultural offering. However initiatives such as Culture Night address these issues.
Culture Night provides free access for everyone to all participating venues and events. It is the new platform for Dublin to show itself off and for people to get to know the City in a different, more creative light.
�Our ambition is that in 2008 we will have Culture Night running until at least midnight in most venues and that Dublin will be one of Europe�s top 5 Culture Night events within the next five years.� added Mr. McLaughlin.
Culture Night takes place this Friday September 14th from 5pm - 10pm and for a full programme of Culture Night events visit www.culturenight.ie