Liverpool Arabic Arts Festival

Subject: RE: Liverpool Arabic Arts Festival
From: Jack Campin
Date: 20 Jun 07 - 01:02 PM

I take it the dockside area is scheduled for some expensive redevelopment that will make a lot of money for a few people who are regularly to be seen in the same wine bars as senior members of the council?

That's the way cultural politics worked in Glasgow when I was there in the 1980s.

Maybe the Arabic festival just got lucky in that they could use any space the council allocated them. A maritime festival has no option but to be near the water.

Subject: RE: Liverpool Arabic Arts Festival
From: GUEST,Chris
Date: 20 Jun 07 - 12:13 PM

You're spot on Crane Driver. There is room for both, although I would summise from his comments that Jack Campin never visited the Liverpool Shanty Festival.   

Jack & Bernie have run a successful shanty/maritime festival as part of the Mersey River Festival for years, the last ten to my knowledge. In 2007 it has been cancelled because of what the council consider to be "health & safety issues" - building/landscaping works around the Albert Dock in preparation for the 'big one' in 2008. Now they have refused funding for a shanty festival in 2008.

I make no comment, political or otherwise. But many people from all over the world have. They can be read on http://shantiesinliverpool.blogspot.com

Subject: RE: Liverpool Arabic Arts Festival
From: Trevor
Date: 20 Jun 07 - 12:04 PM

Absolutely Jack - if you want it, do it. What do you mean by 'no longer supported' CD? By whom? Audiences?

Subject: RE: Liverpool Arabic Arts Festival
From: Crane Driver
Date: 20 Jun 07 - 11:26 AM

Yes, Liverpool used to have a great Maritime/ Shanty festival, with scores of restored/ reproduction tall ships in harbour, which the public could go on board, talks on life abourd ship, demonstrations of knot-tying, ships in bottles, all sorts of things based around Liverpool's traditions as a maritime centre. Plus shanties and maritime music in authentic settings aboard ship. It appears the council has decided that isn't 'cool' anymore and they've dropped the funding.

Don't get me wrong, I'm sure the Arabic Arts festival will be great and I wouldn't want to stop it. As you say, lots of people will be putting lots of work into making it happen, and I don't decry that at all. I'm sure everyone there will have a great time. But there are also many people in Liverpool who could, would and have put equal effort into shanty festivals in the past, but who no longer are supported to do so. It's just sad.

Subject: RE: Liverpool Arabic Arts Festival
From: Jack Campin
Date: 20 Jun 07 - 10:02 AM

Look at the website and you can see the Arabic festival is in its fifth year. And given the complexity of the event, it can only be happening because a lot of people are putting significant effort into it. It's not the sort of thing a council committee could just wish into existence.

An effort on a similar scale would certainly get *some* sort of shanty festival going, but somebody has to actually do it. To match the Arabic one in breadth of appeal it would have to expand to include events on shipboard cooking and the literature of the sea, displays of the history of sailors' uniforms, visiting ships, knot-tying workshops, maritime films... which would be worth doing, but does Liverpool have people who could do that?

There's no "a" on the end of the URL. Correct version:

click here

Subject: RE: Liverpool Arabic Arts Festival
From: Trevor
Date: 20 Jun 07 - 09:41 AM

Has the idea of a shanty / maritime festival been turned down then in favour of this?

Subject: RE: Liverpool Arabic Arts Festival
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 20 Jun 07 - 09:26 AM

I agree, except that I'll be in Doveholes, Derbyshire for the opening. What was that about a feast or a famine ?

Subject: RE: Liverpool Arabic Arts Festival
From: Gedpipes
Date: 20 Jun 07 - 09:21 AM

Sounds fantastic. Have a great time Fred and ignore the philistines.
Shukran
Ged

Subject: RE: Liverpool Arabic Arts Festival
From: Crane Driver
Date: 20 Jun 07 - 08:54 AM

But no Shanty/Maritime Music Festival? Typical British attitude - ethnic culture is only acceptable for funding if it's from somewhere else. (Nothing against Arabic Arts, but there should be room for traditional British Arts as well).

Hmmph!

Subject: RE: Liverpool Arabic Arts Festival
From: Trevor
Date: 20 Jun 07 - 08:44 AM

Try this.

Subject: Liverpool Arabic Arts Festival
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 20 Jun 07 - 05:42 AM

Liverpool Arabic Arts Festival will be running again this year from July 1st to 15th, with various musical and other cultural events. For more details visit   

http://www.bluecoatartscentre.com/arabicartsfestival/index.htmla

(Sorry about posting the the bald URL. For some reason I can't get the clicky to work.)