Step one: recognize that cultural diversity exists.
Step two: integrate it into your community.
Over the next two months the Fairfield community plans to do just that.
The College of Arts and Sciences; American Studies; and Peace, Faith and Justice Studies are co-sponsoring an Irish Film festival entitled “Ireland and the Irish in Cinema” with the Fairfield Irish studies program.
The event will be held throughout February and March in the DiMenna-Nyselius Library Multimedia Room. Each of the award-winning films will be shown at 7 p.m. and will be introduced by a different professor each week. The selected films will feature a different aspect of Irish culture.
“I think it’s a great way to celebrate cultural diversity,” said Kelsey Duggan ’10.
“The purpose of the film series is to make people aware of the variety of Irish culture and history by means of a popular genre,” said Marion White, Fairfield English professor and a member of the Irish studies committee.
“It is good, fun first step in promoting a more culturally diverse campus,” said Emily O’Toole ’10.
The first movie, “The Quiet Man,” was shown on Feb. 15. This Academy Award winning film shows the journey of an American who emigrates to his ancestral home in Western Ireland and experiences a culture clash first-hand.
Associate Professor of history William Abbott, who headed the film series, will introduce the second film on Thursday, Feb. 22, “Michael Collins.” The movie, which stars Liam Neeson, examines the periods between Easter Rising and the War of Independence.
“The award-winning film is a reasonably accurate portrayal of the crucial juncture in Irish political history from 1916 to 1922,” Abbott said.
On the following Thursday, March 1, Kevin Cassidy, the new director of Irish studies, will introduce “In the Name of the Father.” Daniel Day-Lewis stars in this film that illustrates the troubles occurring in Northern Ireland.
“The Commitments,” which demonstrates the impact of American rock ‘n’ roll on popular culture in Ireland and “The Secret of Roan Irish” are the final films in the series.
White said she hopes the multi-feature film series will “engage students as well as local residents.”
Duggan said the series is just one way that the University is bringing people, on campus and off, of different backgrounds together to share in cultural diversity
“Why not open it to the public and celebrate cultural diversity together?” she said.
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