Kolkata: Hollywood star Jeremy Irons’s Kolkata visit becomes memorable as he watched extra-ordinary performances by underpriviledged kids on Friday.
Although not many were aware before his visit to Kolkata, but actor Jeremy Irons, has been a patron of The Hope Foundation for a long time.
Impressed with the show, Irons – a winner of Academy Award, told eNewsroom that he would ‘love to showcase it in London. Jeremy, the legendary actor has also won Tony Award and Primetime Emmy Award along with Academy, which makes him stand among the rare category of Hollywood actors.
“I was knocked out by the show. I think it was extraordinary and enormous talent. Enormous about of work went into it. And the great thing about dance is that it gives you rules for life because you have to watch each other, you have to listen, you have to practice, you have to work hard and all the children who were working today had to it, were doing that. I think that if they continue to do that to their lives, they will have a wonderful life,” said Jeremy.
The Hope Foundation celebrated its 20th Annual Cultural and Education Day on the theme – ‘Power of Humanity’ in the presence of Jeremy Irons, Hollywood Actor and Hope Foundation’s patron, Maureen Forrest, Honorary Director, The HOPE Foundation and many other dignitaries.
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Riot of colours, celebration of talent
Performances par excellence, and a gentle reminder of what children from humble backgrounds can achieve if they are given the opportunity to do so. These were the hallmarks of Hope Foundation’s annual Cultural and Education Day held at Nazrul Mancha on the morning of November 8, 2019.
Five hundred fifty underprivileged children who have found hope since The Hope Foundation touched their lives presented an extravaganza that celebrated humanity, inter-faith harmony, India’s historical and cultural heritage, and also shared messages on the importance of saving water, trees and saying ‘No’ to plastic. Through their skits and dance routines, the children – ranging from tiny tots to young adults – also taught invaluable lessons pertaining to the need to protect and conserve Mother Nature, our planet and the environment.
The programme was graced by renowned Hollywood actor Jeremy Irons, his son and famous photographer Sam Irons, Maureen Forrest, Honorary Director, HOPE Foundation, Dr. Sinead Flanagan, Hope Foundation Ireland’s Ambassador and many other eminent dignitaries from Kolkata and Ireland.
Speaking to eNewsroom, Maureen Forrest, Director, HOPE Foundation stated, “It was incredible. Everyone was blown by the performances and also by the message and the story of the show and by the professionalism of the dancers and the choreographers. All of this is from little children most of whom are brought up in slums and on the streets and our point is that if you help, encourage and give children some help in life when they don’t have much of it and their parents are first generation learners, this is the result of what we see.”
The Hope Foundation established in 1999 is an Irish Charity with offices in Ireland, India, the UK, Germany and the USA. It aims to protect and lead towards the development of children living on the streets and in difficult circumstances. Hope operates over 60 projects in and around Kolkata through 13 local implementation partner organizations.
