Submissions are being sought from Cork’s intercultural communities for a new publication by Cork City Libraries exploring the life of immigrants in the city.

Both poetry and short prose — fiction and non-fiction — will feature in Intercultural City Voices, a Cork City Libraries initiative in association with Ó Bhéal. The finished book will be launched at Cork City Hall on Thursday, 22 November as part of the sixth annual Winter Warmer Poetry Festival.

The multilingual collection is themed around the experiences of ordinary people living in Cork who are not from Ireland. It is one of Cork City Council’s Creative Ireland projects. Entries can be submitted to creativecork@obheal.ie by Monday, 15 October 2018.

On the initiative, Senior Executive Librarian at Cork City Libraries, Patricia Looney stated: “We are delighted to be involved in this wonderful initiative with our partners Ó Bhéal. Cork has always been a strong city for creativity and culture, and the city has benefitted hugely from the fresh perspectives of new and growing intercultural communities here.

“This publication seeks to give these fresh voices a space to share their experience of living in Cork city using their own language to express themselves. It’s a unique opportunity to see Cork through the eyes of the people who make the city a vibrant, engaging and intercultural community.”

Director of Ó Bhéal, Paul Casey added: “As the writers also communicate in their own language for this publication, not only do they get to express themselves fully, but those native to Ireland will get a glimpse into their culture as well. The diversity of languages will illustrate the growing number of cultures and nationalities that now call Cork city home. It also allows us the opportunity to celebrate the valuable contribution of these new citizens to our city.”

Contributors will be invited to read their work at the November launch of the published collection. The book will also feature photographs from three established Cork-based photographers, Brazilian multimedia artist Silvio Severino; Polish native Jed Niezgoda; and Azem Koleci from Albania.

Submissions can be a maximum of six poems or prose no longer than 2,000 words. Assistance with translation is available by contacting Patricia Looney at patricia_looney@corkcity.ie.

Creative Cork Intercultural City Voices is proudly supported by Cork City Council and Creative Ireland.