Kite festival continues over mid-term break
HYBRID Eitleog runs until October 31
A new Cavan kite festival has taken flight over the mid-term break.
Organisers of the first 'Eitleog' festival have commissioned a trio of kite making workshops and are eager for the great Cavan public to create their own kites and share photos of flying their creations in the run up to Halloween. Top kite makers have been recruited to host the online demos in which they show simply step by step how to transform household items into bespoke wonderful gliding machines.
The Irish word for kite, Eitleog (pronounced eh-til-ogue), is the brainchild of Cavan Arts Festival director, Kim McCafferty.
“Years and years ago I was in India with two friends and we heard about a Kite Festival where an entire city, everybody, goes onto the rooftops over three days and fly kites. We travelled off up to the city in northwest India to see it, and it was the coolest thing ever. That was many many years ago, I've been thinking about it ever since!
“I thought wouldn't be cool if we brought this to Cavan.”
Kim says it evokes warm childhood memories.
“There's something very romantic about a totally pointless endeavour. There's no financial gain, there's no sporting competitive nature to it – it's just something flippant, to spend your time staring up at the sky and flying a toy. There's something very beautiful about that - we could all do with a bit more time like that.”
The free festival lends itself to families or pals spending quality time together, first making the kites and then flying them together.
“By its nature it has to happen outdoors, and I would love to imagine people getting together to enjoy family time or neighbourly time or friend time with your mates to do this. It's something that's really suitable for all ages as well.
“They don't have to pay, they don't have to pre-register but we would love people to just let us know if they have got involved, whether that's by sending us a photo or video of them making or flying the kites or sharing online.”
Kim scoured the planet looking for the best kite artists and have recruited Catherine Gabrel of the American Kite Association, and also Irish kite makers Laura McNamara and Rebecca Marsden. In their short, simple films the kite makers share their know-how on creating sled, diamond and sock kites. The specially commissioned tutorials are live online now.
“You can essentially find the equipment you need lying around the house. One has made a kite with a reusable plastic bag that you can use and decorate. You'll find on our website or social media details of what you need to gather before you start these workshops,” says Kim.
While this inaugural event will take a hybrid format, the first in-person kite festival will take place as part of next summer's Cavan Arts Festival.
“We will all be able to fly our kites together and have more workshops in real life,” promises Kim.
You can find the workshop video tutorials online at www.cavanartsfestival.ie and share your photos or videos by tagging @cavan arts festival