Brazil, Mexico and Kilkenny proved an exotic cocktail last night. Glitz, little black numbers and huge works by Brazilian artist Ana Maria Pacheco set the tone at the Kilkenny Arts Festival, which kicked off with gusto. "Kilkenny people like dressing up," observed Maureen Kennelly, administrator of the 10-day event.
The gala opening event took place in a newly-built concrete factory which was transformed into a party venue for the night. Guests arriving by train were put in the mood by a musical welcome from the Copenhagen Saxophone Quartet. They could also pause to take a look at the exhibition of prints by NCAD honours graduate Ruth Rogers, from outside Ballina, Co Mayo, which was opened by Mexican ambassador Daniel Dultzin at MacDonagh Railway Station.
Later, at the Advance Factory, local dignitaries, artists, musicians and writers mingled. Chairman of the Millennium Festivals board, Derek Keogh, with wife Rhona were invited along with board members Doireann Ni Bhriain and Michael Colgan of the Gate Theatre, while deep in the city a 30piece carnival band beat out the tempo on the huge ESB Millennium Big Drum as it wove its way though the narrow streets.
Highlights of the festival include a reading by William Trevor - and Seamus Heaney and piper Liam O'Flynn will repeat their much-lauded double act.