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Tributo a Ervine, politico lealista

Tribute to loyalist politician

A TRIBUTE to the late David Ervine, penned by Seamus Heaney, will be auctioned for charity.

jeanette ervine con il testo di seamus heaneyNobel Laureate Heaney, one of the greatest living English-language poets, described Mr Ervine as an “exemplary” man in his personal tribute.

“Education, according to the poet Robert Frost, changes the plane of regard – and David Ervine would have agreed,” he wrote.

“He was an exemplary man of our place and our peace, somebody who believed that where there was a right word there was a right way, and acted accordingly.”

Tuesday’s event, organised by the David Ervine Foundation as part of the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival, in Belfast’s Black Box, will also see sporting and musical memorabilia auctioned to raise money for the foundation.

The event will also include this year’s David Ervine Memorial Talk on the theme “Ending Conflict Through Dialogue”.

Last year’s talk was given by Senator George Mitchell but this year’s speaker has not yet been announced.

Dawn Purvis, one of the foundation’s members and Mr Ervine’s successor as the leader of the Progressive Unionist Party, said: “We are deeply honoured that Seamus Heaney has penned his own personal tribute to David, which epitomises the man and the objectives of this foundation. We hope to raise a lot of money in auctioning this piece – money which will help us to assist our young people right across the communities.”

At the event, the foundation will award grants of about £36,000 to a number of projects covering education, sport, music, mentoring, confidence building, relationship building and a breakfast club.
The evening will also feature local singer/songwriters Eilidh Patterson, Gerry Creen and Anthony Toner.

Mr Ervine’s widow, Jeanette, said: “They will bring their songs, music and growing reputations to this special event.

“They are recognised by their thoughtful and thought-provoking lyrics. They write songs that deliver a message and make us listen.”

Explaining the work of the foundation, Mrs Ervine said: “Our aim in setting up this foundation is to enable disadvantaged children and young people to reach their full potential – to give them a vision and a chance to do their best.”

The event begins at 7pm. Tickets (£10) are on sale at the Belfast Welcome Centre, 47 Donegall Place or at www.cqaf.com.

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René Querin

Di professione grafico e web designer, sono appassionato di trekking e innamorato dell'Irlanda e della sua storia. Insieme ad Andrea Varacalli ho creato e gestisco Les Enfants Terribles.

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