Bruel and Coisir Ceoil came together as part of an ongoing cultural exchange
between Ireland and Catalonia, built on shared musical curiosity,
collaboration, and a belief in long-term artistic relationships
rather than one-off performances.
The Beginning of a Musical Connection
In January 2013, a new musical connection was formed between
Bruel and Coisir Ceoil.
What began as a shared interest in musical exchange
quickly developed into a collaborative project
rooted in mutual respect and open listening.
The first performance took place in March 2013 in Sitges,
at the inaugural Irish Catalan Arts Festival.
The festival was held under the direction of Caroline Wynne of Arts Scope,
founder of the Creative Connexions initiative.
From the outset, the emphasis was on collaboration rather than presentation,
on dialogue rather than display.
Performances Across Borders
Following the Sitges performance,
a return visit was made to Dún Laoghaire in May 2013.
This second gathering allowed the collaboration to deepen,
with repertoire expanding and musical relationships becoming more fluid.
A third collaboration followed at the Catalan Arts Centre in Barcelona.
By this stage, the project had grown beyond a single event.
It had become a working relationship,
shaped by repeated meetings and shared performance experience.
Creative Connexions and Its Vision
Creative Connexions was established with a clear cultural aim.
To increase awareness of high-quality Irish and Catalan culture
through visual arts, literature,
and traditional and contemporary performance.
Central to the project is the idea of partnership.
By creating creative working links rather than isolated appearances,
Creative Connexions seeks to nurture a deeper understanding
of the range, skill, and expertise of Irish practitioners
on an international stage.
The initiative places strong emphasis on reciprocity.
Events are hosted in both Catalonia and Ireland,
allowing artists from each culture to experience
one another’s working environments, audiences, and traditions.
This approach supports development and continuity,
rather than one-off cultural exchange.
Coisir Ceoil
Coisir Ceoil brought together a group of Irish traditional musicians
drawn from strong regional and stylistic backgrounds.
The line-up included myself on fiddle,
Desi Wilkinson on flute,
Martin Quinn on accordion,
and Roisin Chambers on fiddle and vocals.
The ensemble approach allowed for a wide range of textures,
from intimate instrumental settings
to fuller group arrangements.
Flexibility was key,
enabling the music to respond naturally
to new musical contexts and collaborations.
Bruel
The Catalan group Bruel brought a distinct sound and energy to the project.
The ensemble featured Anais Falco on fiddle,
Xavier Rota on guitar and vocals,
and Angel Laguna on pipes.
Their music reflected Catalan traditional influences,
shaped by local dance forms and song traditions.
When placed alongside Irish traditional music,
shared rhythmic instincts and modal colours
became immediately apparent,
creating space for meaningful musical dialogue.
Education and Ongoing Collaboration
The project also worked closely with the DIT Irish Traditional Music Ensemble,
extending its reach beyond performance alone.
Educational exchanges and informal sessions
formed an important part of the process,
allowing students and emerging musicians
to engage directly with international collaboration.
Many further sessions and events were planned as part of this ongoing work.
The aim was to keep the collaboration alive,
evolving naturally through continued contact
rather than formal conclusion.
A Shared Cultural Experience
Bruel and Coisir Ceoil demonstrated how traditional music
can act as a meeting point between cultures.
When musicians approach one another with openness,
differences become sources of interest rather than division.
Projects like this remind us that tradition is not static.
It grows through exchange, listening, and shared experience.
That spirit of connection was at the heart of this collaboration.
Further information about the Creative Connexions initiative
can be found at
www.creative-connexions.eu
.