Kinsale Arts Festival

July 2019

The ‘Rape of Persephone’, this myth is a source of insight into the powerlessness of women in patriarchal, Greco-Roman society but has much really changed? I think not, the repression of women worldwide often sanctioned through religion fundamentalism or celebrated traditions unfortunately means little has altered for many women. Gender violence, rape and femicides are only increasing not decreasing. This myth is about Persephone who was out gathering flowers one day with her maids, when suddenly Hades appears thundering across the plain and plunges down upon her, scooping her up by his arm literally and figuratively deflowering her there and then. Why is is still an everyday reality for women?