As Culture Night was returning to towns and cities across Northern Ireland on Friday 21st September, so too was it returning to charm its Brussels audience. An increasingly anticipated event on the Brussels calendar, Culture Night is presented in conjunction with The Arts Council of Northern Ireland, who support ‘The Brussels Platform’ – an international showcase for culture and arts from Northern Ireland.
This year the Office welcomed guests from over ten countries to enjoy the enchanting and rousing folk melodies of two singer/songwriters, Matt McGinn, hailing from the foot of the Mournes, and Ciara O’Neill from Portadown. Ciara captivated guests with songs from Arrow, her second album. From NI to Nashville and back again, Ciara has written with some of the best in the business and performed to a US TV audience of 60 million. After Ciara’s performance, Matt took to the stage with gusto, and charmed the audience with songs from his third album ‘The End of the Common Man’, while explaining his current project ‘Lessons of War’ which brings together musicians from places of conflict.
A perfect end to the evening was served by John Graham and John O’Hare of Lagan Ribs – a street food company straight out of St. George’s Market, Belfast. John & John served eight-hour slow roasted pulled pork, in traditional Belfast baps, and covered in a choice of their signature sauces. After a delightful dessert of Glastry Farm ice-cream, it was all washed down with some of NI’s award-winning gins, craft beers, ciders, and juices. All our wonderful produce was brought to Brussels with the assistance of FoodNI.