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COMMENTS.... |
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 Why is the Munster Literature Centre on the verge of closing its doors? Cork politicians and other agencies outside the city who were begged for support over the past six years have ignored pleas for help. The centre's supporters feel they have not been taken seriously, despite great achievements. The centre cannot survive without a lifeline, but none was given. The premises they occupy is four floors up on Sullivan's Quay in Cork - hardly conducive to a reading or an exhibition. What they want is a more central acceessible location and the funds to make it happen. Mary Johnson says the centre needs a three-year guarantee of core funding, a full-time manager and artistic director and at least four part-time staff. "We've shown what can be done, but we haven't even begun to realise the full potential," she says. The Irish Times 18.01.00
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I was very sad to read in the most recent issue of Southword that those involved feel they have reached the point where they can no longer continue. The Centre has done marvellous work promoting writers living and dead, producing exhibitions on the work of those associated with the Munster area, hosting readings and launches. The MLC was also responsible for festivals which brought to Cork writers from other parts of the country. Two years ago they were from Ulster and the President was a guest speaker, yet despite what was the most high profile event of their existence, and an awful lot more, they cannot find the financial support to keep going.
Surely with all the money that's said to be sloshing around at present enough can be found to back the centre properly, so they can concentrate on building on what they have already achieved, rather than worrying about surviving. Look at how the ESB supports Music Network and its nationwide tours, bringing some of the best musicians to even the smallest towns. There must be a company out there willing to back an equally worthwhile organisation - perhaps a multinational would like to be associated with our literary heritage? Tina Neylon, The Examiner 19.01.00 |
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It is with considerable regret that I read in the editorial of Southword that the issue may be the Centre's last. The Munster Literature Centre, its festival and its magazine have rendered invaluable cultural service to Cork, and in its programme of literary exchanges, in the literary world beyond Ireland.
The country knows well enough that there is cultural spending money out there and in considerable amounts. I do hope I am not talking out of turn to suggest that some of that funding might be directed to the upkeep of the Munster Literature Centre and its works. To see something of cultural value actually die out in the new millennium due to lack of funding would be a considerable irony.
I do not live in Cork, though I have read at the Centre's festival and contributed to its publication. As a writer I sincerely hope that the Munster Literature Centre continues its work and that its publication's editorials will have more positive messages to carry in future issues. The editorial goes on to mention that had the centre "depended on the business community in Cork and our representatives in Dáil Éireann, we would have ceased to exist years ago." Given the hype around various millennium events, this is a shameful circumstance. Surely there is someone in the booming business community (if not in Cork, then elsewhere in the country) who can appreciate the need to keep the centre up and running and its programmes intact!
To Southword's executive editor, Mary Johnson, to its literary editor, Patrick Galvin, and to all at theMunster Literature Centre, my sincerest best wishes for the millennium.
Fred Johnston, Carn Ard, Circular Rd., Galway Irish Times 20.01.00 |
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I am indeed sorry to hear about the lack of financial support for the Centre, it is an important facility for any writer in the South. It seems that Dublin claims anything that is available in that matter. If you have any fundraising efforts in mind let me know and I'll try to help.
Every good wish for success in the New Millennium.
Bill Hammond, 'Capri', Duntaheen Rd., Fermoy, Co. Cork. |
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I was alarmed to hear of the state of affairs with the Newsletter. If there is anything I can do please let me know - part of my soul still wanders round Cork.
Every good wish,
John Liddy, Spain. |
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Dear Folks, Your Southword is looking good on the website.
Congratulations!
Tomás O Canainn, tocanainn@eircom.net |
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I just wanted to congratulate you on the revamped newsletter recently circulated. A very professional job!
Carol Quinn, The Library, University College, Cork. c.quinn@ucc.ie |
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Dear Mary, I was sorry to read of your intention to resign as Artistic director of the Munster Literature Centre, and that the very first issue I read of Southword could be the last.
I would like to take this opportunity to compliment the obvious professionalism of Southword as a literary publication, and to wish you and all the staff in the Centre the very best of luck in the future.
Alan Garvey, UNPUBLISHED Project Co-ordinator, Waterford Corporation, Office of City Manager & Town Clerk, The Mall, Waterford. |
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Dick Hogan's report (18 January) that the Munster Literature Centre is on the verge of closing is deeply disheartening. At the most fundamental level, the Centre should be able to count on strong local support, but it seems that official Cork is content to consider the literature of the region as purely for export, that the selfless work of so many volunteers, particularly the tenacious heroism of Mary Johnson, is treated with indifference bordering on contempt. None of this surprises me: with an appreciable number of honourable exceptions, Cork's ruling elite is notoriously philistine and the vibrant cultural life of my native city has always been by and large the province and care of the powerless. I am not in the least surprised that those in the best position to fund and nourish the centre seem the most indifferent to its work and plight.
I should be delighted to be proved wrong.
The Munster Literature Centre is also a national and international institution, a matter of little interest to Cork's self-regarding bourgeoisie but of considerable importance to the rest of us. The Centre does far more than celebrate a vibrant if sometimes unrecognised Munster tradition in literature; it has built significant international connections and, through its annual festival, has made a considerable contribution to deepening and complicating our sense of the interlinked cultures on this island. One might reasonably hope that the newly-enriched Arts Council, with its principled commitment to developing access to the Arts in the regions, and with its equally principled commitment to supporting the individual artist, will do the right thing for Cork and Munster, and substantially increase its revenue grant to the Centre.
Nonetheless, responsibilities begin at home. Cork Corporation can surely increase its miserly grant; fifty Cork businesses contributing a tax-efficient £1,000 each per annum could make a huge difference; and, while I'm at it, why should not the University under its enlightened current President make a further commitment to the literature and culture of the region it so proudly serves? If nothing but commercial self-interest can move the reluctant, let them consider that the fastest growing sector in European tourism is cultural tourism, an area where the Centre has a real developmental role to play. The real question, of course, is this: why is it only the powerless (and some exiles) who take a real pride in Cork?
Theo Dorgan
Director, Poetry Ireland poetry@iol.ie |
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From the Mexican Embassy
Dear Mary,
I was dismayed to hear that the Munster Literature Centre is in danger of closing, due to inadequate funding. I believe that the centre has done a great deal to regain Irish language and culture and to place it on a national and international stage. Furthermore, it has contributed to confirm Cork's proud and independant literary tradition. The closure of the Centre would be a great loss to Irish culture.
One of the things I admire most about the Irish people is their commitment to the arts in so many forms. The Munster Literature Centre has been at the fore in rescuing Irish culture and language and placing them in the context of modren culture. It is this genuinely democratic energy which I find exemplary, and from which I have gained a great deal of inspiration.
The embassy of Mexico and the Centre - and its excellent staff - have a fruitful and ongoing relationship. It has been one of the great pleasures of my term as ambassador of Mexico in Ireland to present the Centre with the complete collection of prints and accompanying texts of "13 poets of the Aztec World". These include biographies of the poets and translation of the poems from Nahuatal to Spanish and English. This is the reason why the Munster Literature Centre is the ideal institution to keep and share such rescue of our own literary heritage. It would be unfortunate to be in the embarassing position of having these gifts of the Mexican people returned to me.
I know from my visits to Cork that it is a city with a proud and independant tradition, a tradition in a large part established and kept in being by its many excellent writers. I find it hard to believe that such a city would be prepared to let an asset such as the Munster Literature Centre perish. I am sure that you, the members of the Corporation and the people of Cork will be trying hard to find a way of saving such an institution that has done so much to put Cork on the national and international stages. If there is anything I can do to help any such endeavours, I should be proud to do so.
Daniel Dultzin
Ambassador
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So how are things at the Munster Literature Centre? Is there any good news? I cannot believe the whole thing might fold. I've been supported by all of you in many different ways. To be honest, as a writer for children I tended to accept critical dismissal as part of the package. And then you guys came along, took what I was saying seriously and authenticated in my own mind what I was attempting to do. Thank you.
Please keep in touch. I loathe the empty image of a Celtic Tiger, it reminds me of a newspaper photograph I saw of a deflated Esso beast blown onto the side of the road having been stolen from the roof of a garage. Hot air, new speek, drives me to distraction. Ah well!
Take care, I'll let you know any Bright Sparks news as it comes along.
Bernadette Leach |
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