Sailing to Byzantium - European Première

On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of The Niland Collection and the Yeats International Summer School, The Model presents Sailing to Byzantium a major staged work by Turkish composer Onur Türkmen for the Yurodny Ensemble.

The piece focuses on parallels between the work of two great 20th Century writers - the Irish poet William Butler Yeats and Turkish poet Ahmet Hasim. Born in different places during the same period of upheaval, both poets lived to witness their nation’s fight for independence. They shared many philosophical and aesthetic concerns, in particular a symbolist attitude towards modernism and an astute sense of the retelling of history through myth.

Supported by the Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon, this performance features renowned musicians from Ireland, Turkey, Holland, England and Scotland, working in collaboration with award-winning Irish lighting and set designer Sarah Jane Shiels.

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Venue Information - The Model

The Model, home of The Niland Collection, is one of Ireland’s leading contemporary arts centres. Built in 1862 as a Model School, the present building has been extended twice. The building boasts a restaurant and coffee dock, a bookshop, a wonderful gallery circuit, a purpose built performance space, and a suite of impressive artist studios on the top floor with enviable views of Sligo town and County.