Immmerse yourself in rich and vibrant culture of Cork
MALLOW’S DEMI ISSAC OVIAWE PROUD TO BE A CULTURE NIGHT AMBASSADOR
CULTURE vultures are in for a treat on Friday week (September 20) with a raft of events to suit all ages and interests set to take place across Cork City and County under the umbrella of Culture Night 2019.
Since its inception in Dublin back in 2006, Culture Night has grown into a nationwide initiative offering the public a wonderful opportunity to be part of a magical celebration of the astounding wealth of cultural heritage that abounds on our own doorsteps.
Once again people have been issued with an open invitation to immerse themselves in an evening of entertainment, discovery and adventure in the company of musicians, artists and historians.
Museums, galleries, churches, historic houses, artists’ studios and cultural centres will remain open until late in the evening, with people encouraged to wander in and out to sample their sights and sounds.
Above all, Culture Night is about highlighting what is unique about Ireland’s rich and vibrant cultural heritage, informing people about all that has shaped our history and society and encouraging people to cherish and preserve the very essence of what it means to be Irish.
However, as Ireland becomes an ever increasing multi-cultural society it is also important that those who have moved here from abroad are afforded the opportunity to find out more about the history and culture of the country that they now call home.
With this in mind it is apt that Nigerian-born actress Demi Isaac Oviawe, who will be know to many as ‘ Linda’ in the TV show ‘ The Young Offenders’ and from her stint on the Irish version of ‘Dancing With the Stars’ has been appointed the Cork County regional ambassador for Culture Night 2019.
While fiercely proud of her Nigerian roots the 18-year-old, who moved to Mallow at the age of two, said she is also proud of the fact that she can also call herself a “real Corkonian”.
“I have always been very much immersed in Nigerian culture at home. We would listen to the music, speak Nigerian in the house and mix with other people from our own culture. Growing up and going to school in Mallow also allowed me to learn about Irish culture. So for me, the two very much complement one another,” said Demi.
Given her high profile Demi was, in many ways, an obvious choice as a Culture Night ambassador although she did admit to being somewhat shocked when first asked to adopt the role.
“It did come as a bit of a surprise but at the same time I was delighted to be asked.
“Even though the initiative is primarily about celebrating Cork’s culture, it is also about celebrating the cultural backgrounds of everyone who lives in Cork, regardless of their heritage and ethnicity, she said,
Demi said that while she would not regard herself as a role model, she did see herself as representing the many people from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds who have made Cork their home.
“That is why I was delighted to accept the invitation to become a Culture Night ambassador.
“While I would in no way see myself as a role model, I do see myself as representing people from all of the different cultures that make Cork such a wonderful place to live in,” she said.
“Cork welcomed me and my family and I am proud to be able to say that I have retained my Nigerian identity while also being a true Corkonian. That is why being asked to be a Culture Night ambassador is such an honour for me.”