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The
History of Spraoi
"Spraoi"
: a Gaelic word meaning "celebrate"
or "party"
Not only did the meaning of the word perfectly describe the very essence
of what Spraoi was to become, but it also rhymed perfectly with the
first festival in 93! Decision made! Print the poster!
The
idea back in 1993 was simply to have some fun and
 perhaps
a little madness on a Summer Sunday. This initial idea materialized as a
one-day event, held on the streets of Waterford city. It was so
successful that the idea grew; perhaps it could become an annual summer
festival in Waterford? Thus began it all. And what has since developed
is one of Ireland leading arts company's; Spraoi. Now, with over sixteen
years work in the area of spectacle, outdoor theatre, event management
and festival production, Spraoi has amassed a vast wealth of specialist
skills and experience.
In 2002
the company embarked on an ambitious project - to
construct it's own studios, the first purpose built building in Ireland
dedicated solely to the development of street art. With the support and
assistance of the Arts Council of Ireland, Waterford City
Council, other grants and public donations, Spraoi achieved this dream,
and moved
into it's new and permanent home at Carrickpherish, Waterford, in January 2003.
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Spraoi is perhaps best known for the annual Spraoi Festival which
takes over the city centre of Waterford for the entire August Bank
Holiday weekend, and which now attracts audiences in excess of 80,000
people to the city. To the extent that there is no longer an
August Bank Weekend in Waterford, it's now more commonly known as "The
Spraoi Weekend". Spraoi concentrates on showcasing top
quality national and international street art and world music. Spraoi's
own production, The Spraoi Parade, is now a major highlight of the
annual festival, involving approximately 300 participants, with large
scale floats, costumes, props, lighting and special effects.
Spraoi
productions continue to go from strength to strength and the company is
regularly commissioned to produce high outdoor theatre and spectacle
for many of Ireland's leading events. The company was
commissioned to produce the Opening Show for Cork 2005 European
Capital of Culture. The resulting show, "Awakening", took place
on the River Lee, and was
performed in front of a massive audience along the
riverside in Cork City, while also being broadcast live
on television
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