'International Festival honors Ireland's charm and embraces local fellowship'

In the heart of Dublin, the International Fest was recently held, showcasing the vibrant cultural diversity that Ireland has come to embrace. The event, originally known as India Fest, was rebranded this year to encourage a broader range of cultures to participate.

The festival, which attracted over 500 participants and hundreds more spectators, featured up to 30 cultural groupings from countries such as India, Georgia, Spain, Brazil, and Ukraine. Among the attendees were several nurses and IT professionals, including Linu Manu, Sheril Rino, and Carmen Ortiz, who live and work in Navan, Co Meath, and Dublin, while also nursing at St Vincent's and the Mater hospitals.

Sheril Rino, a nurse from India, moved to Ireland from Dubai two years ago, drawn by the "welcoming culture". Linu Manu, a nursing home manager in Athboy, Co Meath, has been living in Ireland for the last 15 years and has three children. Both women expressed their appreciation for Ireland's welcoming environment and the sense of community they have found.

However, the festival came in the aftermath of a series of attacks against members of the Indian community in Ireland. Despite these incidents, Linu Manu and her family, originally from India but now preferring to stay in Ireland, cited the people, place, and culture as their reasons for choosing to remain.

Rino, another attendee, expressed concerns about her children not being mindful of cultural differences, attributing this to recent incidents. She believes that the Irish government needs to be clearer about why immigrants are in Ireland and address misconceptions about them.

Mariam Philashuili (13) and her mother Nino Ebelastuili, from Georgia, moved to Ireland two years ago. Ms Ebelastuili's husband's employer sent him to work in Ireland for three years. Initially, Miss Philashuili was nervous about starting her education in Ireland, but found that there were many different nationalities there, making her feel more at ease.

The festival organizer, Mr. Finnerty, stated that they had a discreet Garda presence and security personnel at the event for the first time due to recent incidents. However, an act of kindness from an Indian child, aged 12 or 13, who came to the aid of an Irish man being harassed by young lads, served as a poignant reminder of the solidarity and unity that the festival sought to promote.

Ms. Ebelastuili's daughter, Mariam, echoed the sentiments of many when she stated that everyone is the same no matter where they are from. This sentiment, shared by many at the International Fest, encapsulates the spirit of unity and acceptance that Ireland is striving to foster in its multicultural community.