Next week sees the return of one of Belfast’s most thought-provoking and innovative festivals, the Imagine! Belfast Festival of Ideas and Politics. This year marks the 10 year anniversary for the festival which has encouraged discussion and debate on contentious issues through its unique and diverse programming over the past decade.
Our eclectic festival includes 132 events in 44 venues across Belfast and will explore the theme, ‘Top EnterBRAINment’ encouraging people to ‘bring your thinking caps’. The festival will feature a diverse mix of film, humour, talks, music, poetry, theatre, exhibitions, tours, discussions and workshops.
Here are 10 events from our huge programme not to be missed at this year’s festival. But there’s loads more to enjoy – mostly free! To view the full programme please visit: www.imaginebelfast.com
- Don Letts: In conversation with Stuart Bailie & DJ set
A special event with punk icon, film director, DJ and Musician Don Letts in conversation with Stuart Bailie – followed by a DJ set.
Sunday 24th March: The Limelight, 3pm – 6.00pm
https://imaginebelfast.com/event/don-letts-in-conversation-with-stuart-bailie-and-dj-set/
- Her Story: Ending Online Violence against Women in Northern Ireland
A panel discussion will explore the impact that online violence has had on women and girls in Northern Ireland with Professor Olga Jurasz, Open University; Sophie Nelson, Policy Officer at HEReNI; Tahnee McCorry, CEO of White Ribbon NI; and Leigh Lyle-Toal, Co-Vice Chair of Belfast Pride. Róise Connolly from the Open University Law School will chair the event.
Thursday 21st March: The Law Society of Northern Ireland, 7pm – 8pm
https://imaginebelfast.com/event/her-story-ending-online-violence-against-women-in-northern-ireland/
- Alan Johnson in conversation with Stephen Walker:
In this wide ranging conversation, Alan Johnson, the author and former UK government minister, will discuss his political career, his views on current political affairs and the prospects of a Labour government in the forthcoming general election with the award winning journalist, Stephen Walker.
Saturday 23rd March: Crescent Arts Centre, 8pm – 9.30pm
- Breathe: Public Artwork Fighting against Air Pollution
Breathe is a public artwork by Dryden Goodwin designed to explore pressing policy
issues around the global health emergency of air pollution. Dryden and producer Lucy Wood will present on the project and be joined for a panel discussion by air pollution research fellow Dr Neil Rowland from Queen’s University Belfast.
Friday 22nd March: Crescent Arts Centre, 12.30pm – 2pm
- Cultural Diplomacy and the Art of Soft Power
This seminar will examine the role of cultural diplomacy and learn how we can foster an effective cultural dialogue.
The event will include a keynote presentation on the Art of Soft Power by Evgeniya Ravtsova, Victoria and Albert Museum, followed by a panel discussion with Sheena Barrett, Irish Museum of Modern Art; Cian Smyth, Ulster Presents; and Richard Williams, from Northern Ireland Screen.
Thursday 21st March: The Black Box, 3pm – 5pm
https://imaginebelfast.com/event/cultural-diplomacy-and-the-art-of-soft-power/
- The Art of Political Speechmaking
Effective speechmaking is an important feature of politics, so we have brought together leading representatives from the main political parties to recite elements of their favourite speeches which have influenced their political journeys in some way.
Claire Hanna MP(SDLP), Deirdre Hargey MLA (SF), Emma Little-Pengelly MLA (DUP), and Kate Nicholl MLA (AL) will take part in the event, which is chaired and facilitated by William Crawley.
Thursday 21st March: Crescent Arts Centre, 5pm – 7pm
https://imaginebelfast.com/event/the-art-of-political-speechmaking/
- Henry Normal and Nigel Planer
Henry Normal, famed for his work on Gavin and Stacey, The Royle Family and The Might Boosh (among others) returns to the festival, this time with BBC Radio 4’s ‘poet in residence’, Nigel Planer. In this special evening event, they will entertain, educate (but mostly entertain) with poetry, a Q&A, jokes and knitwear!
Sunday 24th March: The Black Box, 8pm – 9.30pm
https://imaginebelfast.com/event/henry-normal-and-nigel-planer/
- Sarah Corbett: Craftivism – The Art of Gentle Protest
Sarah Corbett is an award-winning activist, founder of the global Craftivist Collective and author of ‘How To Be A Craftivist: the art of gentle protest’. Sarah has helped change government laws as well as hearts and minds through her kind and creative form of campaigning. She joins Katherine McDonald, Director of Craft NI, for a conversation on the term she coined, ‘The Art of Gentle Protest’.
Tuesday 19th March: Cube Theatre, Crescent Arts Centre, 8pm – 9.30pm
https://imaginebelfast.com/event/sarah-corbett-the-gentle-art-of-protest/
- Films at The QFT
The QFT is hosting season of punk music related films including legendary British filmmaker Derek Jarman’s classic film from 1978, Jubilee, on 19th March; POLY STYRENE: I AM A CLICHÉ, which looks at the life and legacy of the lead singer with the 1970s punk band X-Ray Spex on 22nd March.
On 23rd March, put on your best eyeliner and dare to witness the electrifyingly entertaining rise and fall of the world’s ultimate fictional female punk band with Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains. Finally, on Sunday 24th March, watch Don Letts’ 2017 documentary about the coming together of reggae and punk in London in 1977, Two Sevens Clash: Dread Meets Punk Rockers, with Don introducing.
- Alice asks our expert panel: what are the ethical challenges with AI?
Disinformation, misinformation, conspiracy theories and deep fakes… is AI eroding our trust in communications and is it posing a serious threat to our democracy?
Be prepared for a controversial and lively debate as our panel consisting of AI expert, Niall McKeown, CEO of Ionology; Martina Quinn, CEO of Alice Public Relations; and Ciaran O’Connor, Institute for Strategic Dialogue. Former BBC journalist Sarah Travers will be moderating.
Friday 22nd March: Crescent Arts Centre, 2.30pm – 4.30pm
The full Imagine! Belfast Festival of Ideas and Politics 2024 programme is available to view online via imaginebelfast.com.