Magical Puppet Charity and Unique Educational Cinema Motorbike Coming to Dun Laoghaire Festival of World Cultures This Weekend

Irish-run international charity using puppets and a motorbike that opens out into a cinema screen are used to teach children about the dangers of landmines and get confidence back in the sea after tsunamis

‘Opening Eyes: Art and Education in a Shared World’ is the title of an exhibition being hosted by Comhlamh (pronounced, co-law-ve) this weekend at the Festival of World Cultures in Dun Laoghaire.

Comhlamh, also known as the Irish Association of Development and Aid Workers, will be presenting and highlighting some unique and fascinating creative educational projects, tools and resources over the course of this Saturday and Sunday, August 26th and 27th, at the VEC Old Schoolhouse on Eblana Avenue, off Marine Road, Dun Laoghaire.

For 31 years Comhlamh has been deeply engaged with Development Education in Ireland, acting as a hub and crossing point for all those interested in exchanging ideas, accessing information, debating best practice and making new connections.  

Some of the projects Comhlamh is hosting this weekend view include:

- No Strings International. Founded by Irishman Johnie McGlade and now with a UK and Limerick office, this charity uses puppets to teach children in Afghanistan about the dangers of landmines. They will soon teach kids in Indonesia about natural disasters and to help the children get their confidence back in the sea. They will also be using the puppets as an educational tool for HIV/Aids in Africa. Their website is at www.nostrings.ie

- The eRanger Media Bike. This is a motorbike that converts into a cinema screen and No Strings use it to show their puppet DVDs in the remotest areas of Afghanistan. As well as this Media Bike, the eRanger people also have a version which converts into an ambulance (again for remote areas), another that is an immunisation unit and one that carries water. Their website is at www.eranger.com

The eRanger Media Bike and No Strings puppets are available from tomorrow, Thursday, for media opportunities in advance of the festival.

According to Alice-Mary Higgins of Comhlamh, “Comhlamh is always interested in fresh, innovative, creative and even playful approaches to building awareness and understanding of global issues and we are delighted to welcome into our exhibition space this festival weekend a number of fascinating, challenging and entertaining projects which should engage children and adults alike.”

Projects also being highlighted at the Comhlamh exhibition space include Cork’s Mayfield Project, Poetry Ireland’s Development Education Through Literature Project, Arms into Art, Comedy as a Weapon and other presentations.

Contact for the Comhlamh exhibition:

Paul O’Mahony, Comhlamh: 01-478 3490 or 087 965 3877
www.comhlamh.org



The Festival of World Cultures is hosted by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council Arts Office and was initiated in 2001. http://www.festivalofworldcultures.com/


About Comhlamh:

ACTION AND EDUCATION FOR GLOBAL JUSTICE

Comhlámh (pronounced ‘co-law-ve’, Irish for ‘solidarity’) is a member and supporter organisation open to anyone interested in social justice,
human rights and global development issues. Marking its 31st year in 2006, it connects, informs, educates and campaigns on these matters.
Comhlámh is a partner in the global MakePovertyHistory campaign.