Droichead na nAmhrán - Bridge of Songs

was a large scale artistic and cultural undertaking. The project was presented in Mostar BiH for August and September 2001.
There were 4 strands:

1 Music was commissioned and recorded for the project. A CD with 39 minutes of original work was played over the radio in Mostar, by arrangement during August and September. This included 4 new pieces by Colm O'Snodaigh and 2 by Stuart Gray composer and organist at Saint Mary's Cathedral Limerick.

2 An artwork Bridge of Songs,was presented in Early August against the backdrop of builders and engineers preparing the foundation of Stari Most for rebuilding.

3 There was an exhibition in August at The Centre for Culture Mostar, featuring photographs and drawings documenting Stari Grad in Mostar during 7 years from 194 to 2001. A follow up exhibition took place at The Pavorotti Music Therapy Centre in September at which those who saw themselves or relatives in the august exhibition recieved reprints of photos.

4 In September, children from the primary classes of the school in Donja Mahala met children in the Special School and they all played with big toys made in Limerick and completed in Mostar. And at anotehr exhibition in The Pavorotti Music Therapy Centre, work eas added to the exhibition showing the progress of the Droichead na nAmhran artwork in August. Several people photographed in 1994 and 1995 who recognised themselves in the September exhibition,recieved prints at this exhibition.

Star Bridge - Bridge of Leaps 1998. An interpretation of this was part of Droichead na nAmhran,Mostar, August 2001

An educational strand developed the idea of connection between young people from participant countries. Lanterns decorated with words of greeting from young people in Ireland in their language were sent to young people in Mostar for the young people of the city who prepared more lanterns as part of the project. There was be an exhibition at The Centre for Culture, Mostar with a follow up exhibiiton in The Pavorotti Music Therapy Centre, Mostar. 5000 star shapes were employed in an artwork about bridge making. The World Wide Web has made possible a means to relate the work to others. Language and translation will be a feature of the overall work to be part of a book which will be published in several languages. Translations will feature as part of the work.


Young people from schools in Donla Mahala & Zalik, Mostar hold aloft lanterns at the site of Stari Most made by Irish children,
atended by teachers, musicians, The Head of EU Office Mostar and Tom Ryan, May 10 2001.