Today one of Belfast’s most thought-provoking and innovative festivals, the Imagine! Belfast Festival of Ideas & Politics unveiled its 2025 programme. Festival director, Mags White-O’Kane, who was appointed earlier this year, was joined by special guests Seosamh Mac, Bob Bobbins, and the High Sheriff of Belfast, Councillor Fiona McAteer.
This year’s festival is taking place from 24th – 30th March 2025 across Belfast and will explore the theme, “helping you make sense of a crazy world.” This unique festival is in its 11th year and features over 120 events in 50 venues across the city, supported by over 60 partners. The week-long programme is an eclectic mix of talks, workshops, theatre, comedy, music, exhibitions, film, poetry and tours.
Mags White-O’Kane joins as the new festival director, following the retirement in 2024 of festival founder, Peter O’Neill. Mags has over 20 years’ experience in the arts working as an event manager, facilitator and development manager.
Commenting on her new role Mags said:
“The Imagine! Festival has always been one of my favourite festivals. For years I’ve admired and appreciated how it has focused on community, elevated real people’s voices and encouraged participation.”
She continues,
“Our theme this year, “helping you make sense of a crazy world” is more pertinent than ever given the deafening noise of misinformation and the insane information spewing from algorithms that we’re all experiencing and subject to. We’re aiming to help refocus and bring the attention back to real people and their ideas and lives, through engaging with arts and culture in real-time via our programme of events.”
“I’m thrilled to be part of the team and building on the 10-year legacy of this groundbreaking festival. I’m excited to take the festival forward into an exciting new era of increased engagement and support, whilst welcoming new voices and perspectives that will enhance our future programmes.”
This year the festival will feature keynote artists and speakers such as Cory Doctorow, Lemn Sissay, Jo Caulfield, David Baddiel, Alison Spittle, Matt Forde, artist-in-residence Erin Fornoff, Tim Arnold, Roman Krznaric, Inua Ellams, Andy Zaltzman, Sinéad Morrissey.
Other highlights include a series of events examining the relationship between music and activism, particularly ska and reggae; a special focus on artistic expression in a digital age and the constant barrage of modern media on our thinking and habits; and the intersection of the climate crisis and growing inequality and injustice across society.
Speaking at the launch, High Sheriff of Belfast, Councillor Fiona McAteer commented, “I am thrilled to be part of the official launch for this year’s Imagine! Festival. For over a decade, the festival has encouraged thought, provoked discussion and brought together people throughout Belfast to celebrate arts and culture through its myriad of events. I look forward to experiencing this year’s festival in March, and a huge congratulations to all involved”.
Gilly Campbell, Director of Arts Development, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, said, “The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is delighted to support the Imagine! Belfast Festival of Ideas & Politics, thanks to game-changing funding from The National Lottery. This festival demonstrates the positive power of the arts in bringing people and communities closer together to explore and create discussion around issues that affect us all. I would encourage everyone to go along and enjoy.”
The Imagine! Belfast Festival of Ideas and Politics 2025 programme is available to view online via imaginebelfast.com.