We'll make a bonfire of our troubles and we'll watch them blaze away
A tremendous fireworks display, on both banks of the river Foyle and along the pedestrian Peace Bridge, marks the beginning of 2013, the year Derry Londonderry (54 degrees North, 7 degrees West) is designated UK City of Culture.
The pyrotechnics are accompanied by music from artists from the city: Dana; Phil Coulter; The Wonder Villains; Declan McLaughlin and the Whole Tribe Sings; The Undertones; Paddy Nash and The Happy Enchiladas; The Moondogs. And there's more, including
Josef Locke. Blazing away.
and when they've all gone up in smoke clouds, we'll never worry should they come another day
Josef Locke sings the conflagration of our Troubles, just as, ironically, they re-ignite on matters cultural, specifically the flying of the UK national flag from Belfast (54 degrees North, 5 degrees West) City Hall.
Can culture blaze away our Troubles? Can the legacy of our violent past be consigned to the pyre of history in a blaze of spectacle, entertainment and culture?
and as the bonfire keeps on burning, happy days will be returning
Quite an ask.
There are ardent hopes that civic morale will lift, with the city of Derry Londonderry garnering national (British and Irish) and international attention. The pyrotechnics and the music say 'We're over here. Look at us.' They are a form of attention-seeking. There is a striving and an aspiration evident in them, as well as a celebration and an expectation.
while the band keeps playing, we'll let our troubles blaze away
If we can see Culture blaze away our Troubles of the past, can we expect Culture to ignite our future prosperity? It depends on jobs.
Occupation.
We turn occupation into something beautiful, something that brings community together, something that calls for love and happiness and hope.
So that we can leave our Troubles behind. And mitigate against the Troubles ahead.
Bring them along and we'll burn them up,
Bring them along and we'll burn them up ha ha, ha hey
Is Josef Locke calling for occu-patience, in solidarity with Angela Davis and Noam Chomsky? Valuing prosperity over austerity; equity over market forces and dissent over acquiescence and spectacle?
Occupy. Imagine. Make.
People with power don't give it up unless they have to. And that takes work.
Josef Locke sings the bonfire.
Here we are, there's work to do, and don't let troubles trouble you. Blazing away, blazing away, oh, come along bring your worries round today. |
http://www.cityofculture2013.com/festival-tv/welcome-to-2013-derrylondonderry/
Angela Davis and Noam Chomsky quoted in Occupy; Noam Chomsky; book; Penguin; London; 2012.
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