Olivier Grossetête

The People Build

Schedule change: Due to inclement weather, The People Build has been postponed to Saturday 20 July. Construction will take place 11am-4pm in Eyre Square.

Olivier Grossetête’s spectacular architectural project The People Build captured the public’s imagination and attracted huge audiences during his Festival residencies in 2017 and 2018.

Please note that volunteer positions in The People Build workshops are now full. Members of the public interested in helping with this event may come along to construction and demolition days without registering.

WORKSHOPS will take place 14-18 July in the Shed on the Docks
CONSTRUCTION will take place SATURDAY 20 JULY in Eyre Square from 11am-4pm
DEMOLITION will take place 21 July in Eyre Square at 4pm

About The People Build

GIAF has invited the artist to return again to Galway this July to embark on another large scale and highly ambitious project involving thousands of participants who will help create gigantic cardboard constructions, which when complete will be enjoyed by tens of thousands of Festival visitors. This year's build will be the iconic steeple of the Galway Cathedral.

The public watches in amazement and plays a formative role as an extraordinary structure rises from the ground. Once complete and installed in Eyre Square in the city centre, audiences then join forces in a massive celebratory demolition as the cardboard building comes tumbling down.

  • Suitable for all ages
  • Recommended for families