Al Pacino To Honour Van At Oscar Wilde Event
05 December 2006
Ulster's favourite musical son, Van Morrison, is to be honoured by legendary actor Al Pacino at an Oscar Wilde event.
Oscar winner Pacino will introduce Van at the US-Ireland Alliance's second annual Oscar Wilde night.
The event, officially called Oscar Wilde: Honouring Irish Writing in Film, is due to take place on February 22, at the Wilshire Ebell in Los Angeles.
Pacino, who delivered a speech to students when he was at Trinity College in Dublin two weeks ago, told Alliance president Trina Vargo that he was a big fan of Morrison.
"Al agreed to participate because he is a great friend and fan of Van's," she said.
"It's an added bonus that he also has a great interest in Ireland and the namesake of out event."
Also being honoured, at what is fast becoming one of the hottest pre-Academy Awards parties, is screenwriter William Monahan and Belfast-born writer/director Terry George, best known for Hotel Rwanda.
Ms Vargo confirmed that Culture Ireland, which promotes the best of Ireland's arts and culture internationally, had agreed to sponsor Van's performance.
John O'Donoghue, the Republic's Minister of Arts, Sport and Tourism, paid tribute to both men.
"Van Morrison and Terry George are exemplary cultural representatives of this island, both using the great gifts of lyrics and words - in song and script - telling Irish stories that have universal appeal," he said.
Culture Ireland joins the Irish Film Board and Walt Disney Studios as sponsors of the event.
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