Ireland’s presidents, both present and past, have traditionally played an active role in the cultural life of the country. Ireland’s political leaders rely on their local political support a lot more than in other countries, making their roles in local society far more important in terms of their election and re-election. This means that the president of Ireland has to be involved in the everyday life of the citizens of Ireland.
President Mary McAleese, the 8th president of Ireland, clearly takes her role in cultural life seriously, supporting local cultural events, festivals and activities throughout Ireland. Her presence at local events, from school recitals to international exhibitions, ensures that her support of the arts and culture of Ireland are visible to all members of the community. Her patronage of local cultural organizations, attendance at events and support of cultural activities actively encourages participation and preservation of Ireland’s rich cultural heritage.
This participation starts from the ground up, including visiting schools and receiving visits from school groups. The president actively engages people in the preservation and continuation of the cultural life of Ireland, ensuring that she motivates continued efforts in this arena with her encouragement and enthusiasm. Whether attending a school recital or the opening of an international exhibition, by her presence, President McAleese is far more than just a figurehead.
On an official level, President McAleese has shown her support for arts and culture with international visits to showcase Ireland’s talent and make inroads into the international market. In 2008 she accompanied Enterprise Ireland and the Irish Film Board on a visit to Hollywood to promote Ireland’s talent in the industry, as well as the country as filmmaking location. The president also attended the European Cultural Foundation National Conference, representing Irish interests and culture. President McAleese presents numerous awards throughout the year, many of them based on cultural activities and achievements, such as Ireland’s Laureate for Children’s Literature.
The formation of the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, founded at the end of former President Mary Robinson’s term in office, has helped to improve government’s support of the graphic and visual arts. Protecting and preserving historic and cultural heritage of Ireland remains a vital aim of this department, responsible for organising, sponsoring and supporting various cultural activities and events around the country.
Encouraging the youth is possibly the most important part of the presidents role in cultural life in Ireland. Preserving the language, arts and crafts of Ireland is a primary motivation for the President’s involvement, and important for the cultural heritage of the country. Most cultural traditions are handed down from generation to generation, and must be preserved in order to thrive. Pride in their national heritage can only be strengthened by the active role the Irish president plays in preserving cultural life in Ireland.
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