Celebrating “Global Voices, Local Choices” at the Castle

A special finale to celebrate the end of the “Global Voices, Local Choices” exhibition at Enniskillen Castle will be taking place on Friday 22 September 2023 as part of Culture Night. The “Global Voices, Local Choices” exhibition has been brought together by Individuals from new and marginalised communities in the Fermanagh and Omagh area. It is the result of a series of workshops exploring museum collections, identity, and representation.  The Global Voices, Local Choices exhibition finishes on Sunday 24 September 2023. 

Speaking about the exhibition, Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Thomas O’Reilly, said: 

“I am pleased that Enniskillen Castle is hosting the ‘Global Voices, Local Choices’ exhibition to showcase the diverse cultures and perspectives within our communities. 

It is important to provide locals and visitors with opportunities to explore various cultures and better understand each other’s backgrounds. This also helps to ensure cultural identity is preserved. 

The Council is committed to promoting equality and good relations for everyone in the District and this exhibition helps to achieve this.” 

The Fermanagh and Omagh “Global Voices, Local Choices” group included John Eniola, Jessica Chaffey, Kevin Chaffey, Deji Dada, Anna Guz, Racheal Ayoola and Janis Vecozols. The group has been supported throughout by Agrippa Njanina (Community Engagement Officer, National Museums NI).  Working towards the exhibition, the “Global Voices, Local Choices” group explored the experiences of ethnic minority communities in Northern Ireland with Esther Ogunleye of the African Caribbean Support Organisation NI.  

“I like how this project has brought in voices that would otherwise be marginalised. This has changed my perception of museums. I am now able to imagine my voice being part of the interpretation in a museum. It means a lot to me to have my voice in the museum” (project participant)

Following a visit to the World Cultures collection at the Ulster Museum, the Global Voices, Local Choices group selected the Bundu Mask from Sierra Leone to borrow and interpret as part of the project.  At least 100 years old, the beautifully carved wooden Bundu helmet mask would have been worn during a ceremonial performance marking the transformation from young girl into womanhood.

A spokesperson for National Museums NI commented: 

“We’re delighted objects from National Museums NI’s World Cultures collections can be shared with communities across Northern Ireland through the “Global Voices, Local Choices” programme. Working with culturally diverse community groups has seen fresh and new perspectives in the interpretation of these collections and is an important part of our Inclusive Global Histories work.”

The group created a series of artworks, which are now on display within the “Global Voice, Local Choices” exhibition at Enniskillen Castle, following Dr Olusegun Morakinyo’s explanation of the mask’s historical significance.  They were completed during workshops led by Professor Elizabeth Crooke and Dr Stephanie Harper of Ulster University, exploring ideas of beauty, identity, similarity, and difference: 

“It was evident that art can fix your soul. There isn’t anything that art can’t do. Art can connect people, because every culture has art. We all create…” (project participant) 

Professor Elizabeth Crooke of Ulster University stated: 

“The Global Voices and Local Choices project was an important opportunity for us to explore the deeper meanings of museum collections. Using artistic responses, as a way to engage with the objects and their histories, revealed the continuing relevance of those objects to us today. The participants made connections that helped us explore our present-day values and identities that helped us make new connections with each other.” 

The exhibition is part of the wider “Global Voices, Local Choices” project, bringing diverse cultures and perspectives into Northern Ireland’s local and national museums.  

A spokesperson for Northern Ireland Museums Council said: 

“We are delighted that this project is forging some amazing new relationships and opportunities between partner organisations and communities, not least the chance for local museums to welcome new participants and demonstrate that they are valuable spaces where ideas, thoughts and feelings can be shared in safety.” 

The project is empowering people to make choices relating to World Cultures collections and how they are interpreted. The project is a partnership between National Museums NI, the African Caribbean Support Organisation NI, and the Northern Ireland Museums Council. It has been funded by the Museums Association Esmée Fairbairn Collections Fund. 

For full details of Culture Night at Enniskillen Castle with late opening of all the site (5.00 pm – 9.00 pm) and free admission for the night, visit www.enniskillencastle.co.uk