Aspects Festival is proud to present a series of captivating memoir events that offer audiences a unique opportunity to delve into the writers’ lives, from heartfelt narratives to journeys of extraordinary achievements, these events promise to engage and inspire.
On Friday 6 October, Lady Mary Peters will take to the stage at Bangor Castle to discuss her book, Mary Peters; My Story with broadcaster Pamela Ballantine. A beloved figure in her adopted home of Northern Ireland, the book explores Mary’s life from winning her Olympic gold medal for the pentathlon in Munich in 1972, to the decades spent promoting and encouraging young sportspeople and the founding of the Mary Peters Sports Trust. This event will explore Mary’s life and achievements.
Bill Whelan has composed music for theatre, film and orchestra, his best-known work Riverdance, was composed especially for the interval act of the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest. As a single release, Riverdance spent 18 weeks at no. 1 in the Irish Charts and was a top ten hit in the UK. Since then, the Riverdance show has gone on to play to 22 million people worldwide. In his memoir, The Road to Riverdance, Bill reveals the nuts, bolts, sheer efforts and serendipities that formed the unconscious preparation of his reinvention of the Irish tradition for a modern age. Join Bill in conversation with Neil Martin at Bangor Castle Sunday 1 October.
Judith Mok is a Dublin-based classical soprano who has toured the world, a leading voice coach, novelist and poet. She was born in the Netherlands to Jewish survivors of the Holocaust trying to rebuild their shattered lives. Her book The State of Dark is a memoir and a detective story which delves into her family’s past. Judith will appear at North Down Museum on Saturday 30 September. ‘Possibly the most powerful book to be published in Ireland this year.. unforgettable.’ Dermot Bolger, Sunday Business Post.
Festival Director Patricia Hamilton said; ‘We are delighted to welcome Mary, Bill and Judith to this year’s festival to discuss their fascinating memoirs. I am particularly looking forward to hearing Bill talk about The Road to Riverdance and predict this to be one of my 2023 festival highlights. Expect a little bit of live music to demonstrate the incredible impact Bill Whelan had on the journey of Irish music. This is an event not to be missed!’
Aspects Festival runs from 27 September to 7 October at various locations around Bangor. For further information and to book tickets see aspectsfestival.com