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Take the Pathway to College By Mohan Fitzgerald Galway Rurual Development launched their Pathway to College programme in Portumna last month. Initiated to combat disproportionate rural unemployment in a struggling modern economy, the programme seeks to promote reeducation among unemployed and low-income workers in the Galway Rural Development operational area, including East and South County Galway and Claregalway, but excluding Galway City. Administered by Galway Rural Development under the Local Community Development Programme, Pathway to College will operate free of charge for suitable applicants. Candidates will be selected among unemployed and underemployed workers earnestly desiring college education. Members of minority groups, individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, students with disabilities, or those previously unable to complete study, will also be among those considered for the limited number of positions.
Minister Ciarán Cannon TD, Minister of State for Training and Skills at the Department of Education and Skills launched the program, saying that the “initiative has been developed to enhance access to education for those who are unemployed or those who are most removed from the education system. The aim is to enable participants to progress into third level education and be in a position to access the local labour market.” Pathway to College promises to be an effective and encouraging resource for transitional work-
ers, offering instruction in basic computer operation, career planning, and financial planning and budgeting. The course also seeks to assist members with future endeavors with classes in college application, interview training and CAO forms. Emphasizing motivation and self-confidence, participants will also partake self-development exercises. “As an advocate of life long learning, I am delighted to be facilitating this new and exciting initiative on behalf of Galway Rural Development
providing individuals with an opportunity to improve their qualifications and job prospects,” said Evelyn Cormican of Blueprint Coaching and Training. The programme runs once a week for twenty weeks, with the intention that participants leave equipped with invaluable skills for modern employment and the tools to pursue post-secondary education. It hopes to provide opportunities for marginalized demographic groups in greater rural Galway and to galvanize local economies.
{7} 12–11
Flirt fm airs new show in Italian By Alessandro Lucheti Ciao a tutti! Siamo Alex & Anna, i due conduttori italiani di “Lamette Flirt”, programma radio trasmesso ogni venerdì alle 12 su Radio Flirt Fm 101.3, la radio della nostra università. Io, Alex, ho 28 anni e sono sbarcato qui a Galway un paio di mesi fa per fare un dottorato in letteratura italiana; vivo all’estero già da qualche anno ma, appena posso, torno con piacere nella mia regione di origine, le Marche. Io, Anna, vengo da Torino e sono qui a Galway per fare un tirocinio come insegnante di lingua italiana all’estero; presto tornerò in Italia e so già che mi mancherà molto trasmettere in radio. In un’epoca come la nostra, in cui la musica si ascolta soprattutto su internet, ci è sembrato “innovativo” e controcorrente tornare al primo mezzo di comunicazione che ha diffuso la musica nel mondo, la radio. Abbiamo voluto farlo in italiano perché, prima di
tutto, siamo italiani, perché qui alla NUIG si studia la nostra bellissima lingua e anche perché ci divertiamo un mondo! Siamo felici del fatto che la maggior parte del nostro pubblico sia composta da studenti di italiano, irlandesi e non. Se pensate che l’italiano sia una lingua melodiosa, chissà quanto potrà piacervi la musica italiana contemporanea! Ma il contenuto del nostro programma non è puramente musicale: ascolterete ogni settimana una divertente intervista a ragazzi e ragazze che gravitano intorno al nostro dipartimento, una simpatica poesia e una ricetta da tentare a casa. Il nostro intento è, tra una risata e un’altra, quello di far conoscere a quanta più gente possibile la nostra meravigliosa lingua, la nostra cultura e il nostro Paese. Non perdete tempo, dunque: sintonizzatevi su Radio Flirt Fm e non dimenticatevi di cliccare “Mi piace” sulla nostra pagina facebook, “Lamette Flirt”! Chissà che non vi venga voglia di studiare l’italiano!
Arts in Action hosts reading by Amiri Baraka
Galway Continental Christmas Market returns for 2012
By Jane Kearns
By Sinead L. Healy
The Moore Institute in conjunction with Arts in Action hosted a guest talk by Amiri Baraka on the 25 of October. He gave a reading of some of his best and most controversial poetry to a packed O’Flaherty Theatre in NUI Galway. Mary McPartlan, director of Arts in Action said that; “It was pure joy and excitement for me to get close to such a legend, sit with him and talk about Nina Simone, the American Civil Rights movement.” She added: “To watch him as he read his poems, tapping out the rhythms on the desk in front of him and singing his jazz tunes between verses. At seventy six years of age he is still
a smouldering passionate writer and an astute political observer.” The event saw Baraka answering some questions from the audience including his thoughts on the US Presidential Election, social changes throughout his life and his overall aim as a poet which is to simply to “raise people’s conscious”. Mr Baraka discussed his life and work, including his involvement in the Newark riots and subsequent arrest. He also talked about his writing and inspiration behind his poems which range from slavery to modern politics to the Japanese haiku. He then went on to read a selection of his poetry which is clever, witty and above all puts forward
a message to the reader. Many of his chosen works were incredibly funny and fun to listen to as he sang out jazz beats to accompany them. He concluded his reading with his most controversial poem to date, Somebody Blew up America, a poem that discusses 9/11 and who he believes to be the real threat to America. The writer of poetry, drama, fiction, essays, and jazz criticism, was born Everett LeRoi Jones in 1934 in Newark, New Jersey. He moved to the Lower East Side of Manhattan in 1957 and founded Totem Press, which first published works by Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac, among many other notable American writers.
The Galway Continental Christmas Market is to make an anticipated return to Eyre Square from November 23 to December 22, 2012. Proudly presented by the Galway City Business Association, the event – now in its third year – will take place for five days more than it has in previous years. Traders from across Ireland and Europe are currently preparing to transform Galway city centre into a winter wonderland. The Market has a jampacked festive experience lined up for locals and tourists alike, including the display of artisan prod-
ucts and Christmas gift ideas, as well as top-class entertainment. Galway’s top live bands, DJs and performers, puppet shows, and story telling, together with charity and community events, will all feature. Santa’s Grotto, organised by local charities, will also be a huge attraction. Traditional German beer will be available in the popular ‘Bier Keller’ (Beer Cellar). There will be a ‘Sing for Simon’ caroling session, in aid of the Galway Simon Community, on Saturday, December 15, from 2pm6pm. This year’s Christmas Market certainly has something to offer every age. Anthony Ryan, Chairper-
son for the Galway City Business Association, declared; “We are delighted to be presenting the Galway Continental Christmas Market for the third consecutive year. “With last year’s event attracting over 400,000 visitors to the city and generating an excess of €11 million for the local economy, creating attractions for our city’s businesses is crucial. We look forward to an even better Market this Christmas.” The market opening hours are Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 10am to 8pm, Thursday and Friday from 10am to 10pm, and Sunday from 12pm to 8pm. For further information, see www. GalwayChristmasMarket.ie.