Minority groups to receive free Riverdance tickets

Ireland's ethnic minorities are to get a first-hand introduction to the Riverdance phenomenon later this month when over 1,000 asylum-seekers, Travellers and other groups will be given free tickets to the last performance of the current Dublin run.

A special performance of the hugely successful show centred on Irish dance and music is also being held to raise funds for a new initiative, Le Cheile/ Together, Irish Artists Against Racism.

This show, to be held in the Point Theatre on August 21st, will feature special guest artists and presenters, as well as filmed messages of support from the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr Kofi Annan, and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mrs Mary Robinson.

Le Cheile is the brainchild of the artist Robert Ballagh and the co-producer of Riverdance, Ms Moya Doherty. The aim is to enlist the artistic community in promoting inclusivity in Irish society and anti-racism.

The initiative will embrace all the major arts. All events will be branded with the Le Cheile banner, for which Mr Ballagh has designed a logo.

A series of radio and television advertisements to promote the concepts of inclusiveness and anti-racism is also planned.

"We're thrilled that artists have shown they want to do something to promote positive models of inclusion for all people in Irish society," said Mr Conall O Caoimh of Comhlamh, the association of return development workers, which has been working closely with asylum-seekers in recent years.

All proceeds from the benefit concert will go to Comhlamh.

Half the 2,000 seats at the last matinee performance of Riverdance are being allocated to Le Cheile.

The free tickets are available through organisations such as the Irish Traveller Movement and the Association of Refugees and Asylum-Seekers in Ireland, but other relevant organisations are invited to apply to the Comhlamh office in Dublin. Tickets are not available to individuals.

In other countries, such as France and Britain, anti-racist organisations have achieved some success in using music and other art forms to promote tolerance.

Over 10 million people have seen Riverdance since the first performance in Dublin five years ago. The show has generated turnover of £100 million worldwide.