Celebrated in honour of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, the feast day commemorates the arrival of Christianity. People celebrate the public holiday by wearing green or shamrock and gather on the streets for the parade. However, this year, due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, Dublin has canceled the parade for the second year in a row. Organisers are planning a six-day virtual celebration instead to bring the festivities to people's homes.
In a statement, the organisers said that they are reimagining how to bring to life the heart and soul of the national parade. A dedicated website and a special TV channel called SPF TV is set to be launched. From March 12 to March 17, people will be invited to take a front-row seat at the 2021 festival.
Performances by musicians, artists, and the infamous marching bands will be held. Hundreds of creators, arts and live event workers, and community organisers across Ireland will come together to create a rich and dynamic programme in honour of Ireland&rsquos traditional heritage. The online festival aims to connect people across the world through music, storytelling, poetry, traditional arts, tours, street and building lightning, art installations and much more.
News of the virtual festival comes as the Irish government is considering extending local lockdowns due to a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases.