Decade of Centenaries
From Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
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From Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
Published on
Last updated on
The Decade of Centenaries Programme commenced in 2012 and focused initially on the many significant centenaries occurring over the period 2012–2016. The Programme complements the ongoing programme of annual State commemorations with special centenary commemorative events on the anniversaries of key events.
The Decade of Centenaries programme is broad and inclusive, highlighting the economic and social conditions of the period, the shifts in cultural norms and the experience of the Irish abroad.
The programme, now in its final phase, encompasses the different traditions on the island of Ireland and aims to enhance understanding of and respect for events of importance among the population as a whole. The programme also provides opportunities to focus on the everyday experience of ordinary people living in extraordinary times, as well as on the leaders and key actors in these events. The programme aims to offer fresh insights and constructive dialogue, and to foster deeper mutual understanding among people from the different traditions.
The programme further provides an opportunity to focus on the development of access to historical records and primary sources from the time period, and for working with local and national cultural bodies to bring forward a series of exhibitions and public discussions.
The department works with stakeholders from representative bodies and the community and voluntary sector to facilitate commemorative initiatives under the programme.
The overall approach to planning and delivery of commemorations over the remainder of the Decade of Centenaries (2020–2023) will follow the principles set out in the Initial Statement by the Advisory Group on Centenary Commemorations (2013) and the Second Phase Mission Statement of the Expert Advisory Group on Centenary Commemorations (2017) and be informed by the Guidance Report (2019) from this Group and consultation with the All-Party Consultation Group on Commemorations.
The objective of the State centenary commemoration programme for the years from 2020–2023 is to ensure that this complex period in our history, including the Struggle for Independence, the Civil War, the Foundation of the State and Partition, is remembered appropriately, proportionately, respectfully and with sensitivity. A key objective of the initiative is to promote a deeper understanding of the significant events that took place during this period and recognise that the shared historical experience of those years gave rise to very different narratives and memories. Realising this objective will require that the programme take account of sensitivities across communities in Northern Ireland and continue to recognise that very different perspectives persist on many of these historical events.
This Programme is based on a four-strand approach comprising:
For further information, please see www.decadeofcentenaries.com.