BluePrint Poetry Performance

1Likes

46Views

Jan 292025

This poem co-created and performed by flood-affected community members in Eglinton, Co. Derry-Londonderry with support from BluePrint project artist Sara (Sally) Walmsley draws on the lived experience of those who witnessed the rolling in of a sudden and unexpected storm, and its devastating impacts. The poem represents three key voices in a flood event - the community members directly impacted, the unaware community members, and the river itself. The community participants did not intentionally write with a particular voice but this interpretation emerged through the process of developing the performance piece that you see in the video. The piece ends with a powerful call to action highlighting the need to recognise local expertise and lived-experiences in efforts to strengthen climate resilience locally. The performance took place in the Guildhall Derry-Londonderry on the 17th of October 2024 at the Sustainable Climate Conference launching the Derry and Strabane Climate and Sustainability Commission. In Eglinton, the BluePrint community participants are part of the Eglinton Community Resilience Group, you can learn more about their work and how to get involved here: / eglintoncommunityresiliencegroup You can learn more about the BluePrint creative process, and access additional creative risk communication outputs (including a sound installation and song) and resources from the project here: https://www.marei.ie/project/blueprint/ The BluePrint project is led by the MaREI Centre, University College Cork, with partners the Playhouse, Derry City and Strabane District Council, and Mayo County Council. The BluePrint project is a recipient of the Creative Climate Action fund, an initiative from the Creative Ireland Programme. It is funded by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media in collaboration with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.