THE eloquent authority of anti nuclear campaigner Adi Roche was once a gain on display last Thursday evening when, she spoke at a party held in Dublin Castle to mark the publication of her book Children of Chernobyl. On this occasion, however, Ms Roche's words were assisted by the presence of one of the children, 11 year old Vitaly Gustev who first came here for treatment a year ago; he's currently back in Ireland for further medical attention and staying with the family of Liz Harte in New Ross, Co Wexford.
Inevitably, the majority of those present had some interest in Russia, not least architect Maria Kiernan who's completing a book on Moscow's buildings due to be published towards the end of the year (and presumably to be marked by a celebration similar to that last Thursday). Many of the guests at Dublin Castle who'd travelled from Cork, had no direct connection with Russia until overwhelmed by the persuasive powers of Adi Roche. But such was also the case with Minister Michael D Higgins; he remembered the founder of the Chernobyl Children's Project sitting at his kitchen table and talking of a documentary film she wished to make about the effects of Russia's worst nuclear disaster. Suffice to say the film was produced.
Until recently, most of the project's activities have been based in the Cork region but according to another supporter Helen Faughnan there are now plans to establish a Dublin fundraising group. Their efforts should be greatly boosted by the charity fashion show in the Point Theatre on February 3rd, of which the Chernobyl Children's Project is one of the beneficiaries. With a line up of models that includes Christy Turlington, Naomi Campbell, Helena Christensen and Kate Moss is hardly surprising that this event is already completely sold out. All the overseas models are giving their services for free; word is that in return each will be presented with a specially created piece in the shape of a woman donated by Waterford Crystal.