The Columba Pageant
June 9th 2011
Guildhall Square
On June 9th 2011 The Columba Community organised and had produced in Derrys new Guildhall Square an outdoor pageant portraying the life of Saint Columba. It was entitled "Columba - Then and Now" and depicted the main events in the life of Saint Columba and a Service in The Guildhall afterwards demonstrated that same spirit alive and present today.
Background:
The idea for a City Centre Pageant began with Fr. Neal Carlin and the Columba Community who are celebrating their 30th Anniversary on 9th June 2011, the feast of St. Columba. The steering group has a cross-community group
The Pageant is in 4 Acts and commemorates themes in Columba’s life, particularly his repentance and desire for reconciliation. It begins at the Diamond, proceeds down Shipquay Street (as the Lough Ness monster is pursued and eventually subdued!) and reaches the Guildhall Square where his mother’s dream, the battle his kinsmen begin on his behalf and his eventual remorse are played out in drama, dance and song. The final piece is a celebration of poetry, prayer and song in the Celtic tradition inside the Guildhall.
It is our intention to develop ideas for this Pageant and portray them anew in the Guldhall Square again in 2012 with the help of specially invited groups. This will pave the way for an even more professional approach in 2013 when Derry celebrates its City of Culture Award.
