The Community of Madrid celebrates Ireland week with exhibitions, literature and music at Metro
The Community of Madrid celebrates Ireland Week at Metro de Madrid on the occasion of St. Patrick's Day, the Irish patron saint, which takes place every 17 March. Exhibitions and activities that will disseminate the island's music and literature will be the focus of the activities that will be held from today until next Sunday 19th at Chamartín and San Bernardo Metro stations. The initiative has been launched in collaboration with Tourism Ireland with the aim of introducing different aspects of the Emerald Isle to users of the Madrid underground.
The CEO of Metro, Silvia Roldán, with H.E. Frank Smyth, Ambassador of Ireland to Spain, visited Chamartín station today to learn about the activities that will take place there during the festive week. The event featured a performance by Sharon Corr, violinist and singer of the Irish group The Corrs.
Among the activities organised is an exhibition featuring images of Ireland's landscapes, heritage and culture. The exhibition, which consists of eight photos, was taken by six Spanish photographers during their trips to Ireland (Cristina Candel, Luis Davilla, Carlos Rodríguez Zapata, Javier García Blanco, Julio Castro and Rafa Pérez). It will be open to the public until 9 April and can be visited by entering one of the restored classic trains located in Chamartín; the green model specifically.
Moreover, Irish literature will be promoted in the Bibliometro through the recommendations of renown authors. Specifically, Nacho Carretero (14 March from 7 pm to 8 pm), the poet David Galán, known as Redry, (15 March from 1 pm to 2 pm) and Espido Freire (17 March, from 7 pm to 8 pm) will share their preferences with users. In addition, a diptych dedicated to Irish literature will be available on the Bibliometro network.
TRIBUTE OF THE SAN BERNARDO STATION AND MUSICAL PERFORMANCES
In addition to the activities that will take place at Chamartín station, San Bernardo station will pay its own tribute by adding the name of St. Patrick to its regular signage this week. Thus, both the diamond at the entrance to the station and the slats in the halls and on the platforms will be coloured green, one of the symbols of Ireland.
Finally, from 13 to 17 March, dancers and musicians from the University College Dublin Dance Society will perform in the station halls.
SAINT PATRICK'S DAY
Every 17 March, they day St. Patrick died in in 461, millions of people take to the streets around the world to celebrate the festival in honour of Ireland's patron saint.
The colour green and shamrock are traditionally associated with St. Patrick. According to legend, the saint used this plant as a metaphor for the Holy Trinity when he introduced Christianity in Ireland.
