Lifelong Learning Festival
Cork’s Lifelong Learning Festival is unique – the only festival in Europe which promotes and celebrates learning of all kinds across all age groups, abilities and interests, from preschool to post retirement.
The festival’s motto is Investigate – Participate – Celebrate!
Its aims are:
- to celebrate those already participating in learning of all kinds;
- to raise awareness of the huge range of options there are all over the city for others to get involved.
The festival is organised by a steering committee drawn from the Cork City Learning Forum, set up by the Cork City Development Board, which brings together all the learning stakeholders in the city. Festival Patron is the Lord Mayor of Cork. Its main sponsors are Cork City Council and the City of Cork Vocational Education Committee (VEC).
Lifelong learning is not only about adult and continuing education, and is more than acquiring skills and qualifications – it’s a process which lasts throughout our lives, and includes all kinds of learning – from crafts, IT, languages, to the arts, sports and a whole lot more. Learning can broaden an individual’s social circle and can also contribute to the development of a sense of community.
The festival promotes and celebrates learning in all its many forms, and encourages take-up amongst people from all ages and backgrounds. It particularly targets those not usually attracted to education and training of any kind.
Through a huge number of events, all free, it demonstrates the many opportunities for learning there are throughout Cork City.
Overall, the festival promotes the idea that learning is fun and is not necessarily about gaining a qualification, although it can be, but is also about making life more fulfilling and enjoyable.
More than 320 free and different events took place during the 2010 festival right across the city and suburbs. There was also a little Fringe festival with events in Ballincollig, Little Island, Clonakilty and Youghal.
The 8th festival in 2011 will build on the success of previous years.
For more information contact Tina Neylon, Festival Co-ordinator, on 00353 86 603 5552 or 00353 21 492 4527 or email: learningfestival@corkcity.ie
See www.corkcity.ie/learningfestival for a previous festival programme.
