Sligo’s designation as European Volunteering Capital 2017 began in style on Friday night with a musical spectacular at IT Sligo’s Knocknarea Arena.
The ‘Spirit of Sligo’ concert was a special evening of music and performance sharing which celebrated the strength and range of creative collaboration in Sligo.
The event officially launched Sligo’s year as European Volunteering Capital.
The concert featured TG4 Composer of the Year Michael Rooney, Niamh Crowley, Kieran Quinn, John Joe Kelly, June McCormack, Sean Carroll, Tommie Gorman, Sligo Academy of Music Sinfonietta Orchestra and the Sligo Gospel Choir.
The special guests on the night included the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Charile Flanagan T.D. Paying tribute to Sligo and the contribution of volunteers to Irish society in general, Minister Flanagan said: “I am delighted to see Sligo follow London, Lisbon and Barcelona as the European Volunteering Capital, 2017. Irish people have always helped their neighbours. It’s part of who we are.”
The European Volunteering Capital designation is organised by the European Volunteer Centre, the European umbrella association of twenty-nine national and regional volunteer centres across Europe.
It aims to promote volunteering at the local level by giving recognition to municipalities that support and strengthen partnerships with volunteer centres and volunteer-involving organisations, celebrate and promote volunteering and the impact made by volunteers.
Friday’s event also featured contributions and literary reflections from a range of local personalities and volunteers.