CULTURAL MAGAZINE

Stroll downpasseggiate from The Diamond square at the top of the hill, past the shops of Shipquay Street to the Guildhall; or take a detourfate una deviazione to Waterloo street and pop infate un salto to any of the lively pubs, and you’ll discover that Derry is arguablyprobabilmente the friendliest city in Ireland. It is also one of the most creative cities in the country, and is now enjoying a mini renaissance.
Derry/Londonderry is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in Ireland, and is well-known for its completely intactintatte defensive wallsmura, built during 1613-1618. In the late 17th century during the infamous 105-day Siegeassedio of Derry, the walls were never penetrated.
Henceda qui the city’s nickname, “The Maidenvergine City”. The Tower Museum, one of the best museums in the country, is located within the walls and tells the colourful history of the city from earliest prehistory to the present (www.derrycity.gov.uk/museums - 028/7137 2411).
After the partition of Ireland in 1922, Derry, now a border towncittà di confine, was badly affected by tensions between unionists (who wanted Northern Ireland to remain part of Britain) and nationalists (who disagreed with the very idea of partition and wanted a united, independent Ireland). The Battle of the Bogside in August 1969, when nationalists in the residential area of the Bogside fought the police in angry response to a contentious marchmarcia by unionist groups, triggeredha innescato “The Troubles” in Northern Ireland. Today, the Bogside bearsriporta the marks of this bitteramaro, triste period in its history in the form of huge political murals painted onto the gablesfrontoni of houses in the area, which have become iconic symbols of the city.
Even the name of the city itself is contentious. The name of Londonderry, the city’s official name, has traditionally been used by unionists, while nationalists have preferred “Derry”. The locals joke, with a nodcenno to Frank Sinatra and a slightly more famous city, that “Derry/Londonderry” is so great that they named it twice.
Now, as the tension has recededsi e' ritirata on the streets, creativity is flourishinge' fiorita. The city which gave the literary world the Nobel Prize-winning poet Seamus Heaney, the poet and writer Seamus Deane (“Reading in the Dark”), and playwright Brian Friel (“Dancing at Lughnasa”), draws much of its contemporary creativity from the conflicts of the past. The political murals in the Bogside have today become the People’s Gallery - twelve of the most strikingsuggestivi, affascinanti gable murals
stretchsi estendono in a line the entire length of Rossville Street in the Bogside. Guided tours of the murals given by the Bogside Artists is an unforgettable and educative experience (tours last one hour, and cost £10. www.bogsideartists.com).
For such an old city, Derry now has a very youthful vibevibrazione giovanile. The Nerve Centre (www.nerve-centre.org.uk) embodiesrappresenta this youthful self-expression. It was established in 1990 as a focal point for youth culture in the city and it has become an important live music venue for emerging and established bands. It also runs the annual Foyle Film Festival (this year the dates are Friday 20th-Saturday 28th November, 2009) which is a respected showcasevetrina for new film talent.
Then, of course, there’s the creative extravaganza that is Hallowe’en weekend in the city…

The stunningsensazionale, sbalorditivo Banks of the Foyle Halloween Carnival in Londonderry has been held since 1986. This unrivalledimpareggiabile event has become Ireland’s largest street carnival and one of the world’s premier Hallowe’en celebrations, enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. From smurfspuffi
to shreksorchi (dalla parola Tedesca e Yiddish: paura, terrore), witchesstreghe to warlocksstregoni, the colour and costume of this carnival event is second to none, capturing the hearts and imaginations of everyone who visits the city on the 31st of October.
The grand finale of the festivities, which is regularly attended by over 40,000 revellersfestaioli, consists of a fireworks display and a glorious parade through the atmospheric streets of the Walled City.
The week long carnival has something for everybody, the fun includes annual spookfestfeste a tema sui fantasmi music, magic, costume finishing touches, storytelling, and the “Outdoor Spooktacular” with family events, fancy dresscostumi, Halloween craftsartigianato, games and more, including well-established attractions like the Ghostbustourstour in Pullman per visitare luoghi infestati and Haunted Housecasa stregata.
The highlight for many is the carnival parade which features a samba band, marching band and carnival characters.
The official Town of Londonderry Trick or Treatdolcetto o scherzetto hours have been set for Friday, October 31st, from 6 to 8pm.
For more information visit derryvisitor.com