Galway Social and Cultural Space meeting

by Galway spacer - Galway space collective Sat Dec 08, 2007 15:36

The meeting was great Michael. There were about thirty five people from a wide variety of backgrounds in the arts and community work and some very useful and positive discussion about the need for an independent space of this nature in Galway and the process of how we can go about setting one up. There won't be another public meeting this side of the new year but if you are interested in getting involved you can email us at [email protected].

I think the poster above meant 'odd' in the sense of particular rather than strange. We are keenly aware that what has worked in other places might not necessarily work here and that while it is instructive for us to look at what people are doing in other cities we have to build this from the bottom up in Galway. Galway isn't Waterford or Wexford or Limerick or Sligo, nor is it Dublin or Cork. That doesn't make it any better or worse than the rest of those places, just different.

While it's true that this is a vibrant and young city, with a strong tradition in culture and the arts, there is actually a serious lack of amenities here, especially open and independent ones. There is an ongoing campaign by the Arts Alliance against the plans for the redevelopment of Ceannt station which we fully support. The process that we are engaged in runs parallel to that and is based on our conviction that such a space is necessary in Galway. There was wide consensus on this point at the meeting last saturday.

We organise democratically, without hierarchical structures and encourage active participation and rely on consensus decision making.

To zed that's digging I'd venture that a couple of people involved in the collective probably would consider themselves anarchists or libertarians, others certainly wouldn't and many wouldn't feel comfortable with the political labels, regardless of their beliefs. Talk of SWP-style front organisations here is highly disingenuous. There isn't an anarchist grouping in Galway that I'm aware of so how could there be a front organisation for one? Anyone who supports the idea can get involved in the collective. We want to get things done - we're not into the politics of sectarianism and nobody is going around trying to spread ideologies with a hammer.

I hope this post answers all your questions. Thanks to everyone who voiced their support

by Michael Thu Dec 06, 2007 21:15

So,how did the meeting go? Could someone post minutes or a synopsis or something please, i missed it due to exams. It would be great to see a social centre in Galway! Is there plans to have another meeting this side of the holidays?

by y Sat Dec 01, 2007 12:48

fair enough about people wanting to create something for other people to get involved in - i just think that people involved in political groups, organisations, ideologies or campaigns should be upfront and honest about their intentions and values, that they bring with them to a centre or the formation of a new collective. people deride the SWP etc for front campaigns and not being honest about their socialism - so if there are libertarians or anarchists involved in setting this "social centre" up then they too should be honest about their political intentions (either in general or for this space).

thats not too much to ask is it?

by Mark C Fri Nov 30, 2007 11:05

Sounds like a good idea to me. Best of luck with it.

Mark.

by Curious Fri Nov 30, 2007 00:03

Is it going to be operated along libertarian/anarchist principles??
Hope so..

by Wondering Thu Nov 29, 2007 22:40

That seems to clarify things a bit, but what's this about "...in Galway, the odd old city that it is."

In what manner is Galway odd compared with, say, Wexford, Waterford, Limerick or Sligo? I always got the impression that Galway is a vibrant young city.

by Galwegian - - Thu Nov 29, 2007 15:25

I think what they're talking about appears to be open to all sectors of the community without neccessarily defining itself along political lines. Such definitions can lead to alienation as opposed to inclusion, and it looks like what they're aiming to do is to create their own politics without falling under a particular label. Something which might work in Galway, the odd old city that it is.

by Wondering Thu Nov 29, 2007 12:19

Don't they have any art galleries, theatres and things in the booming city of Galway? I know Waterford, Wexford, Limerick and Sligo have arts centres to host art shows, theatrical performances, holiday workshops for kids, evening and weekend concerts and the like.
I can't believe Galway can be so starved of outlets, unless the centre proposed intends to be something more than an arts centre. Maybe they're working towards something along the lines of seomra spraoi?

by x Thu Nov 29, 2007 11:59

I notice that the word "political" is entirely absent from this blurb.

Are the people involved in this venture entirely apolitical, or not willing to be honest about it?