Art and Culture

In our small but charming Heron Hall we have a venue for all aspects of our social and cultural life; it is a centre for concerts, plays, parties and other celebrations of community living. Camphill's founder Karl König wrote a number of plays most of which are still performed nowadays. This has lead to an on-going practice of drama both as a tool for building community and as a way of celebrating festivals. Some plays may be larger productions with the cast, performed by people from all sections e.g. older and younger co-workers, people with disabilities and children of co-workers families, while others productions are prepared by smaller groups. These plays may be specially written or be taken from outside authors.

Musically speaking we enjoy many a concert by our own or visiting artists both inside and outside Camphill, and for those who are interested there are visits to local and regional venues for concerts, plays, etc. Our own practice of music is very important to us and quite a number of people, both with and without disabilities learn to play the lyre. This has brought about the formation of the Celtic Lyre Orchestra with fellow musicians from other Camphill Communities. It has established quite a reputation and has given concerts in both Belfast and Dublin.

Additionally there is the possibility of doing eurythmy, which is a kind of movement, which can be experienced therapeutically, socially and theatrically. And as we have a resident artist our walls are enriched with his work and there may be classes in painting.

As a Christian based community our festivals follow the circle of the Christian year.

Our preparation for these festivals with concerts and plays helps us to understand the meaning of these events. At Candlemas we welcome the coming Spring by lighting candles in the earth.
On Shrove Tuesday we have fun with a pancake race and carnival. This leads us into Lent, Holy Week and Easter with its more solemn, inward celebrations. In brighter, longer days we move out of doors to Ascension Day and Whitsun, culminating in St. John's Day with a bonfire and often a performance of Karl Konig's St. John's Play. Michaelmas usually sees a community play, and a harvest meal in the milking parlour. St. Martin's brings forth the first lanterns - from our Playgroup - to lighten the darker months, leading to Advent and finally Christmas with all its light and joy. The Twelve Holy Nights (equivalent to the Twelve Days of Christmas) brings us to Epiphany and finally we come to Candlemas again.