Wilde x 2 in art gift for Galway (Thursday 22 April 2004)

compiled by Susan García

Tiiu Kirsipuu: The Wilde sculpture in Tartu, Estonia; image held here.

This coming Saturday the Estonian City of Tartu is to present Galway with a replica of their most famous sculpture as a jesture ahead of the 'Day of Welcomes' celebration on May 1, during which Estonia will be 'welcomed' by the city of Galway.

The sculpture depicts the Estonian writer Eduard Wilde (or Vilde - spellings vary) and Irish writer Oscar Wilde. As both men were contemporaries, this piece imagines a possible meeting in 1892. The original sculpture sits outside the Wilde Irish Pub^* in Tartu, Estonia.

The Estonian people have apparently always been keen to present a replica of the sculpture as a gift to Ireland. A miniature bronze cast was presented to President McAleese on her visit to Estonia in 2001.

The 'Day of Welcomes' is one of the highlights of Ireland's European Presidency calendar when, as part of the Cultural Programme for the Irish EU Presidency, 10 towns and cities across the country will organise a celebration to welcome the new accession States into the European Union.

The main activity in Galway on May 1 will occur around St. Nicholas Collegiate Church. The grounds of the old church will host market stalls representing our European neighbours, to complement the traditional market in that area. Between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. that day "the best of Galway's bands" will perform outside St. Nicholas while the inside of the Church will be full of theatre and pageantry. At 5 p.m. Macnas will lead a spectacular and colourful parade from the church grounds to the Spanish Arch and will continue to provide entertainment until late.

Other events include a programme of six animation films from Estonia which will be presented by Galway Arts Centre at 47 Dominick Street. The programme will be introduced by animation director, Edith Pieperhoff.

More on the sculpture itself here.

^*"One of the most refreshing pubs in Estonia, with the class and sophistication to put many of its Tallinn counterparts to shame. Located in a 19th century publishing house, Wilde has become the in place for anyone living here or passing through. CITY PAPER recently spotted the prime minister here and any number of leading scholars sipping coffee or throwing back pints of Guinness. Wilde, which is named after two Wildes - Oscar and the Estonian writer Eduard Vilde - features a great Irish pub upstairs and a lovely cafe downstairs; next to the café is a good bookstore, which caters to university students, but which also has some books in English. If youÍre coming to Tartu, Wilde is simply a must. www.wilde.ee" - according to balticsww.com/tartu.htm.

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