Ati-Atihan in Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Festival
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan – Street dancing to the frenzied Ati-Atihan beat of drums filled the historic streets of Dublin, Ireland as the Filipino Community Network (FCN) joined the annual St. Patrick’s Festival parade on March 17.
For the first time ever, Filipinos based in Republic of Ireland showcased the Ati-Atihan concept in the modern and colourful costumes in the largest festival of its kind and artistic presentations in Europe.

A hundred FCN performers hit the streets of the capital to display their fascinating Ati-Atihan costumes and heart-thumping beats in the grand parade from Parnell Square to St Patrick’s Cathedral that also features some 3,000 performers and revellers across the country.

The annual Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Festival kicked off from March 16 to 20 to celebrate the Irish national holiday with five days and nights of music, entertainment and culture.

The festival parade theme is inspired by a children’s short story “Brilliant” by Booker-prize winning author Roddy Doyle to honour Dublin’s designation as UNESCO City of Literature.

Last year, 120,000 visitors from other countries attended the Ireland’s patron saint festival, providing an estimated return of €50.5 million to the economy.

This year, 600,000 attendees - decked in green – gathered to witness the two-hour spectacle of pageantry dancers, street theater troupes and marching bands that puts together all spiritual and historical culture of Ireland.

St Patrick’s Day is also being celebrated in Northern Ireland and in many cities in Europe, United States, Europe and Asia.

FCN, the organizer of the country’s participation in the St. Patrick’s festival, is a partnership initiative of all Filipino-related communities, organizations, associations and groups in the Republic of Ireland to build a strong and vibrant Filipino community that promotes its heritage, fosters unity, and encourages cooperation, collaboration and networking with government organizations, non-government organizations and other cultures.