It was brothers Alexis and Mikhail’s first day in Charleville. They arrived by bus that morning from the mythical country of Lovakia to find themselves at the Charleville Agricultural Show 2007.
It was their first time in Ireland and they had many questions for the people of Charleville (pictured above). Along their journey they encountered language difficulties and culture challenges.
Despite their initial culture shock, they had plenty of fun and laughs and didn’t seem to mind that once again they were lost and their journey seemed never ending. But with the help of the people of Charleville, they seem to be settling into to their new Irish home.
In reality, Mikhil and Alexis are Damien and Adrian, two Cork-based street performers with the Snatch Comedy Company. Their Culture as a Journey production was prearranged to give the people of Charleville and the surrounding areas an opportunity to think about interacting and engaging with people from different cultures.
This initiative is part of the Ballyhoura Integration Project, in turn part of Ballyhoura Development Limited, a local area-based partnership, working in tandem with the local communities of East Limerick and North Cork to promote integration and community cohesion.
Other upcoming events organised by the Ballyhoura Integration Project include the Ballyhoura World Music Day on 6 August, part of the annual Mitchelstown Indie-Pendence Music Festival (www.mitchelstownfest.com) and featuring performances by Real Samba and Poles Apart.
n For further information on the Ballyhoura Integration Project, call Kate at 025 85213, Sally at 063 91746 or Josephine at 063 21008.
