President Higgins will officially launch Galway 2020 European Capital of Culture, at an Opening Ceremony on Saturday 8 February 2020.
The free open-air celebration will feature fire, processions and music, with a cast drawn from communities across the county of Galway.
The year-long programme "Galway 2020" programme is based around the four seasons of Ireland’s ancient Celtic calendar, and will begin on 1 February, traditionally known as Imbolc, an ancient Pagan festival which represents the start of spring.
Each of the four seasons of the programme will open with a fire festival, reflecting the Irish tradition of marking the new season with fire.
