Children invited to mark 300 years of Gulliver's Travels

In commemoration of the 300th anniversary of Gulliver's Travels, penned by the renowned Irish author Jonathan Swift, schoolchildren from across Ireland are invited to submit artwork for a projected depiction of Gulliver on the walls of Saint Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin. The projection will take place on the eve of October 28th, precisely marking the date of the book's initial publication in 1726.

Swift, who served as Dean of Saint Patrick's Cathedral for over three decades until his demise in 1745, is also interred within the cathedral. The students at St Patrick's Cathedral Choir School are currently crafting artwork for the festival, with the possibility of their piece being chosen for projection on the cathedral wall.

The original title of the book was "Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World, In Four Parts By Lemuel Gulliver," a pseudonym for Swift himself. He published the book anonymously, fearing the impact of its underlying themes. Gulliver's Travels, often perceived as a children's fantasy, serves as a political satire of human nature.

A Swift scholar, Dr. Brendan Twomey, asserts that the book was an immediate success upon its release. It holds the distinction of being the most published Irish-authored book, translated into virtually every language worldwide. Swift was not only a writer but also engaged in Irish politics during the 1720s prior to his transition into a Protestant clergyman. Despite the passage of many years, Swift's writing continues to exert a profound influence.

Saint Patrick's Cathedral is scheduled to be illuminated on October 28th with giant Gulliver-inspired animations adorning its Gothic exterior, accompanied by a free public concert. The deadline for artwork submissions is October 22nd.