Liam Neeson calls for emergency aid for culture in Northern Ireland

Actor Liam Neeson -

Liam Neeson sounds the alert.

The actor, who has always been heavily involved in the fight for artists' rights, said the Northern Ireland government's post-pandemic support for artists (of around € 35m), announced last July , was largely insufficient.

For him, this is only a "lifeline" for a sector in serious danger, especially since no decision has been taken to allocate these funds.

Our patron Liam Neeson has added his voice to the ongoing appeal to the NI executive for their urgent support to secure the full financial package of £ 33m announced in July.

We need action.

We need support.

We need it now.

#SaveTheArts #SaveOurTheatreshttps: //t.co/M5yp452oM1

- LyricTheatre Belfast (@LyricBelfast) September 15, 2020

“I made my debut in the Northern Irish arts scene in the 1970s, at the Lyric Theater in Belfast to be precise.

I experienced the physical dangers that the practice of my art could entail even though this theater never closed its doors, even at the worst of the Northern Irish conflict (…) I cannot say how much this money is vital, to ensure the well-being of the arts community and of the 8,000 people who live in all branches of the arts in Northern Ireland, ”he said in a message to Lyric Theater officials, relayed by the BBC.

Act fast

Describing himself as an 'Irish man and proud of it', the actor insists that the very existence of Irish culture is at stake and that urgent action is needed.

“Culture is the compass of our society, our Shepherd Star.

If we lose this compass, we lose ourselves, ”he concluded.

Other artists such as Van Morrison, Snow Patrol, or Ash have also raised their voices in recent weeks to alert authorities to the need for help for the music industry in Northern Ireland.

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• Covid 19

• Coronavirus

• Actor

• North Ireland

• People

• Culture