August/September 2005

Between four and five thousand people watched the processional performance of Runga Rung in Bournemouth on Saturday September 10th 2005.  The procession began at the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC), passed through Bournemouth Square, and into Meyrick Park for the dynamic finale of fire and light.  The project was part of Bournemouth Borough Council’s Arts Development programme.

In residence in Bournemouth for two weeks, internationally renowned celebratory arts company Emergency Exit Arts (EEA) worked with:
• Approximately 150 members of the public through two open workshops in Lower Gardens and Bournemouth Square 
• 15 people with learning disabilities (through Horizons and TOPS)
• 10 women attending Sure Start Bournemouth
• 120 young people from Portchester School
Members of these groups took part in the procession.

The National Association of Local Government Arts Officers Autumn 2006 magazine (magazine front cover featuring Runga Rung) published an article about this project, entitled 'A Dream of an Event'. (Both links open as as a PDF documents in new windows).

What next?

Bournemouth Arts Development believes this kind of event could play an important role in Bournemouth’s cultural programme. 

It is important because it:
• raises the profile of good quality participatory arts work in Bournemouth. 
• highlights how suitable the town centre is for this kind of event "Bournemouth is a better setting for his kind of event than anywhere in Europe." Les Sharpe, EEA Artistic Director 
• may persuade decision makers, sponsors, and public that this could become an annual event with economic impacts which will benefit the local economy.

We want to build a case for an annual event. A report will be available shortly.