With March 17 just around the corner, it’s almost impossible not to see la vie en green. All over the world, people of Irish descent are getting ready to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day, an Irish classic. And because when there’s a celebration, there’s a VIAGE party, we’ve decided to throw you a memorable Saint Patrick’s Day happening. All you have to do is put something green on and make your way to the VIAGE to enjoy a music party made of pop, rock and folk!
A green outfit, huh? Right! To dispel any doubt about Saint Patrick’s Day dress code, here is some insight. If you want to comply 100% with the theme, you will need a green suit, a bunch of giant four-leaf clovers, an orange beard and a top hat. Obviously, that’s not how the actual Saint Patrick used to dress. But that did not prevent the whole wide world to officially adopt this outfit and to proudly wear it every March 17. Also, to be completely honest, Saint Patrick himself wasn’t even Irish…
A divine vision
Where was he from then? Patrick was originally from Britannia, a place located somewhere in Wales or Scotland. It’s there that, at the end of the 4th century, he was kidnapped then brought to Ireland by the same thieves who’d just burnt his house. He was only 16 years old back then, and was held captive for 6 years. Thanks to a divine vision, he finally escaped his prison and went back to his hometown, where he studied religion. He then moved on to fulfill his sacred mission: turning Ireland into a Christian land. He proceeded to do that, before passing on March 17, 461 in Saul, Down county, Ireland. That is where he rests in peace, in the cathedral of the cemetery of Down, in Downpatrick.
A mix of symbols
Why green though? After all, wasn’t blue the colour associated with Saint Patrick at the very start? True! It is Ireland’s nickname “The Emerald Island” that has earned Saint Patrick’s Day its green colour. And that’s not the only change that happened overtime. The four-leaf clover, known today as a lucky charm, was initially a three-leaf clover. According to the druids from that era, it used to help escape the evil spirits and their curses. Patrick, on the other hand, used the clover as the perfect symbol of the Christian Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. And what about the orange beard? It simply is a reference to Leprechauns, these fairy creatures straight out of the Irish mythology, who look like orange-bearded elves, always looking for trouble. So you see, today’s Saint Patrick’s Day outfit is nothing but a mix of several Irish symbols.
'St. Patrick’s Day is an enchanted time—a day to begin transforming winter’s dreams into summer’s magic.'
– Adrienne Cook
That melting pot of influences, we will be transposing it to our special Saint Patrick’s Day evening on March 17, from 9 pm onwards. Give your ears the time of their life with POP ROCK FOLK tunes, first with a live band covering all great Irish bands such as U2, The Cranberries or even Snow Patrol,… then with a special DJ set until 2pm… Also, don’t panic if you bump into a Leprechaun or see a magician make some gold disappear while our charming costumed hostesses give out some goodies to those who care to indulge in a little gambling. That’s our St. Patrick’s Day plan in a nutshell. We’re pretty sure it doesn’t get any better, so don’t forget to come along !
