Liam Neeson has urged Northern Ireland’s political leaders to save the arts sector recalling how it helped him pave his way to stardom.
Musicians such as Van Morrison, Snow Patrol and Ash have already pleaded with the Stormont executive to support the music industry.
And now the Taken star, and ‘proud Northern Irishman’ has echoed calls to deliver on the promise of £33m of funding announced in July - stressing that 8,000 peoples’ livelihoods are depending on it.
The Antrim man, 68, who is the patron of The Lyric Theatre in Belfast said: “I came up through the ranks, as it were, of the arts scene in Northern Ireland during the 1970s, beginning in 1976 to be exact at the Lyric theatre in Ridgeway Street in Belfast.
“I experienced first-hand, as many of you may have, the potential of physical danger as I practised and learned my craft in that theatre - which, by the way, never closed its doors once during the height of the Troubles.
“Now that says something about the character and stamina, not just of the Lyric theatre, but of us as a people - all the people, Protestant and Catholic, of the north.”
The funding was announced in July to help the struggling sector in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
But as the money has yet to be allocated, the Ballymena man urged that is it ‘vital’ that NI Executive deliver on their promise soon.
“I have recently learned that £33 million has been earmarked for the arts in Northern Ireland,
“I cannot stress enough how essential that money is - every penny - in securing the well-being of our artistic community and sustaining the lives of nearly 8000 people in every branch of the arts in Northern Ireland,” he said.
“It is vital, it’s a lifeline.
“It is vital for our economy, it is vital for our young people who are pursuing a career in our creative industries.
“You know, a true society cannot be whole or fundamentally exist without the arts or the people employed in the arts.
The Hollywood star continued the impassioned voice recording for the Lyric theatre, saying: “Culture is our society’s compass, our north star. If we lose our compass we all lose our way.
“My appeal to you today requires your urgent attention.
“The character of our very existence here in the province is at stake.”
