FleadhFest 2021 takes on Covid

FleadhFest in 2021 promises to be one of the most interesting and comprehensive cultural responses to Covid-19 nationwide and among the Irish diaspora.

It is organised by the Irish cultural movement Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann which operates in each County in Ireland and in 18 countries worldwide.

The Fleadh Cheoil is a unique Irish institution which for 70 years has been embraced by generations of Irish people. It has, down the years, marked the resurgence of Irish traditional music and other cultural traditions.

The Fleadh story has for the first time since 1951 been disrupted by the Covid-19pandemic.  The Fleadh Cheoil as we know it will not in 2021 be possible in each county, province and at national level. It will be replaced by FleadhFest. This is a factual-virtual celebration of the Fleadh at all levels which will depict the vitality and universal appeal of Irish culture.

FleadhFest will link the Irish fireside with the world stage. Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in 2019 had an attendance of 750,000 people. FleadhFest will build a bridge of renewal with millions of Fleadh fans worldwide. Communities at home and abroad will have the opportunity to introduce their favourite musicians, dancers, singers, poets and storytellers to our world neighbours.

Tá an chuma air go mbeidh FleadhFest 2021 ar cheann de na freagairtí is suimiúla agus is cuimsithí ar Covid-19ar fud na tíre agus i measc na nGael thar lear. Is é Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann atá ina bhun, is é sin an ghluaiseacht chultúrtha Ghaelach atá ag feidhmiú i ngach uile chontae in Éirinn agus in 18 dtír ar fud an domhain.

Is cuid de dhlúth agus d’inneach na hÉireann í an Fhleadh Cheoil, atá anois i gcroí agus in aigne an phobail le 70 bliain anuas. Tá sí ina ceann feadhna leis na blianta ar athbheochan an cheoil thraidisiúnta Ghaelaigh, chomh maith le traidisiúin chultúrtha eile. Ach tá cor tagtha i scéal na Fleidhe den chéad uair ó bhí 1951 ann de dheasca phaindéim Covid-19.

An Fhleadh Cheoil mar a thuigimid anois í, ní fhéadfaí í a chur ar siúl i ngach contae, cúige ná ar an leibhéal náisiúnta in 2021. Beidh FleadhFestá eagrú ina háit. Ceiliúradh fíorasach, fíorúil a bheidh ann ar gach uile ghné den Fhleadh, a léireoidh beogacht agus tarraingteacht uilíoch chultúr na nGael.

Nascfaidh FleadhFest an tinteán leis an ardán domhanda. D’fhreastail 750,000 duine ar Fhleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in 2019. Cothóidh FleadhFestcaidreamh nua leis na milliúin a bhfuil an Fhleadh ina cuid dá saol. Beidh deis ag pobail anseo in Éirinn agus thar lear na ceoltóirí, na damhsóirí, na hamhránaithe, na filí agus na seanchaithe is fearr leo a chur i láthair a gcairde, bídís i gcéin nó i gcóngar.