Attention Irish water protectors!
You are warmly invited to take part in the Meeting of the Waters, a ritual-performance which will kick off the Gathering at Moville, County Donegal, on Saturday 17 May (time TBD, though certainly before noon).
Emissaries from Irish water bodies are invited to represent their waterbodies within a shared ritual-performance. This ritual will introduce the disparate characteristics of Irish waterbodies and communicate key messages from the waterbodies. Water carried from these bodies will be brought inside the Gathering, offering their presence during our deliberations. Water from these water bodies will also be joined together to inspire solidarity and healing. The ritual will elevate the presence of our waterbodies as part of the Gathering and bolster our confidence to act as guardians and emissaries for our watersheds and waterways.
This ritual will take place outdoors at St. Eugene’s Hall, overlooking Lough Foyle. Contributions can be spoken word, music, dance… Please note that no audio visual support will be available and the ritual will take place outdoors, regardless of weather conditions, so simple contributions are encouraged. Contributions should be no more than 3 minutes in length and should end with an offering of water.
The proposed ritual framework:
- The ritual begins by creating a protective space
- The Foyle welcomes the emissaries
- Emissaries bring their waters’ messages and share the water
- The Foyle is thanked as host and an offering is made
- The water from individual water bodies is brought inside to serve as a presence within St. Eugene’s Hall (a Water Council)
- The merged waters will be used to make iron gall ink. Attendees can take this ink home and are encouraged to use it in their guardianship efforts, as we serve as the human voices for our waterways and watersheds.
Those interested in taking part should send an email to anjuli@zerowastenw.org. Anjuli will organise a call before The Gathering to provide further instructions.
Please note: all are encouraged to bring water from their waterways/ water sources to add to the Water Council, even if they do not want to speak as an emissary for the waterbody during the Meeting of the Waters ritual.
