THE Speeches Strikes and Struggles series will continue its celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Movement in the North of Ireland, with a special one-day seminar featuring an array of acclaimed academics, artists and journalists.
The event will be held on November 22, and is being organised as part of a wider programme of events around the anniversary led by Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Tower Museum.
It accompanies The Speeches, Strikes and Struggles: Curating Conflict exhibition currently on display in the Nerve Visual Gallery, Ebrington, which offers the chance for the public to view rarely before seen collections highlighting key moments of the Troubles dating from 1968 to the present day.
The exhibition combines resources from three major collections held by the museum – the Bridget Bond Collection, the Gerry Lynch Collection and the newly acquired Peter Moloney Collection.
The seminar will focus on three topics in relation to the local Civil Rights Movement and the subsequent years after in relation to the Troubles.
Three separate panels will feature and discussions will be held in different locations around the city, with each panel hosted by a member of the Peter Moloney Collection Partnership; Tower Museum, Libraries NI and the Museum of Free Derry.
Speaking ahead of the event, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor John Boyle said: “I’m looking forward to the next highlight in this series which has put the spotlight on what was one of the seminal moments in Irish history.
“Fifty years on we have the opportunity to reflect on the events of the time and how far we have come as a society in terms of advancing the cause of human rights locally.
“The seminar features some leading figures in terms of the documentation and understanding of this era and I would really recommend that people take this opportunity to hear their insights.”
Curator at the Tower Museum, Roisin Doherty said: “We are very excited about this seminar which brings together a multitude of voices on three fascinating and often overlooked topics, including women’s lives and how they were affected by the Troubles, Conflict Art and the anniversary of the reform of the old Londonderry Corporation.
“The panels promise to be engaging, informative and will encourage participation from the audience.”
From 12 noon – 2.30 pm the Central Library will host a panel focusing on Women’s lives and the Troubles.
It will be followed at 3 pm-5 pm by a discussion at the Nerve Visual Gallery on Conflict Art.
The Seminar will conclude with a session at 7pm – 8.30pm hosted by the Museum of Free Derry looking at the Reform of the Londonderry Corporation.
The Speeches Strikes and Struggles exhibition is funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Collection Fund and Heritage Lottery Fund.
If you would like to attend the seminar or any specific panels, please contact [email protected].
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