A month-long series of events focusing on Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels begins in Dublin tomorrow as part of a festival to promote reading.
The third annual One City, One Bookinitiative encourages people to read and discuss a particular literary work and Swift's fantastical tale was chosen this year for its appeal to both adults and children.
Fifteen events and exhibitions will be held throughout the capital including a sand sculpture exhibition and screenings of film adaptations of the novel.
The initiative opens tomorrow with a special event on the Jeanie Johnston famine ship with Lord Mayor Paddy Bourke. Man Booker Prize-winner Anne Enright and best selling author Joseph O’Connor share their views on Swift’s masterpiece in Dublin library on April 7th, while the IFI will show screenings of the movie on April 12th.
A documentary and lecture about Swift, a former Dean of St Patrick’s Cathedral, will be held on April 17th.
Other events include Gulliver’s Dublin - Eamon Morrissey’s acclaimed one man show which will run in Dublin’s City Hall for four nights - children’s interactive theatrical workshops in Dublin City Libraries and specially curated exhibitions in City Hall.
Jonathan Swift was born on November 30th 1667 and was educated at Trinity College. Gulliver’s Travels is regarded as one of the greatest pieces of satirical writing in the English language.
Further information on the initiative can be found by logging on to www.dublinonecityonebook.ie