See What Audiences are Saying About GIAF 17’s Cover My Tracks
29 July 2017
GIAF 2017 featured exceptional theatre, music, visual art, street spectacle, comedy, and discussions from around the world, and here are the highlights. What were your favourites?
The 40th Galway International Arts Festival came to a close on Sunday 30th July 2017 following its biggest Festival to date. With record-breaking box office and attendance figures, stunning performances, and a dedicated volunteer force representing over 39 countries, GIAF is showing the world what to look forward to as the city of Galway becomes European Capital of Culture in 2020.
GIAF’s 2017 numbers are truly astounding: 724 participating artists, audiences of 210,000 attending performances, talks, concerts, street events and exhibitions, almost 600 total volunteers, 100 lorries for transport, and a projected economic impact of at least €23.5 million.
GIAF visitors, artists, staff, and volunteers in 2017 came from all corners of the globe, including South Korea, Australia, Syria, Sierra Leone, Brazil, Iceland, and more, truly representing what it means to be an international festival.
This year’s acclaimed theatrical performances include the world premiere original production Woyzeck in Winter, Kneehigh’s Tristan and Yseult, Dublin by Lamplight, The Second Violinist, and much more, which took place in venues all around Galway City and County and featured exceptional Irish and international talent. The iconic Absolut Big Top featured musical heavyweights Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Passenger, Gavin James, Jenny Greene and the RTÉ Orchestra, and Festival favourites The Coronas.
GIAF’s visual arts programme and First Thought Talks indeed had everyone talking, and visitors were delighted by many artist talks, which took place throughout the two weeks of the Festival. The street spectacles, including Olivier Grossetête’s The People Build and Transe Express' Mobile Homme, took over Galway City to the amazement of over 30,000 visitors in Eyre Square.
What was your favourite event in GIAF 17? Be prepared for even more favourites to come as we gear up for Galway 2020: www.galway2020.ie. We'll see you in 2018!
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