The Imagine! Belfast Festival of Ideas and Politics returns next week with a feast of events
Next week marks the return of one of Belfast’s most thought-provoking festivals, the Imagine! Belfast Festival of Ideas and Politics during March 20-26. The festival will explore the theme, ‘Brain Food: A feast of ideas for a better world.’
Speaking ahead of the festival’s return, Festival Director, Peter O’Neill said: “This year we have over 130 in-person and online events on the menu, most of which are free. Events are filling up fast, so make sure you get booking now to avoid any disappointment!”
Here are 10 events not to be missed from this year’s festival. To view the full programme please visit: imaginebelfast.com
1. Jonathon Porritt: Confronting Today’s Climate Emergency
In this talk the renowned author and campaigner will discuss how we can tackle the climate crisis.
March 25, 2023: Crescent Arts Centre, University Road, Belfast 7.30pm: imaginebelfast.com
2. Reunion by Julie Dutkiewicz, produced by Kabosh Theatre
A play about family, love and everything that went before, Reunion looks at preconceptions of a domestic violence victim and what it takes to survive. This premiere also includes post-show panel discussions.
March 23-24: Vault Artist Studios, Tower Street, Belfast 7.30pm: imaginebelfast.com/
3. Poetry & Politics
In this unique event local politicians will recite their favourite poems. Doug Beattie (UUP), Claire Hanna (SDLP), Deirdre Hargey (Sinn Féin), Emma Little-Pengelly (DUP), and Kate Nicholl (Alliance) will be stepping up to the mic to showcase the artistic side to their political personas. Chaired by the BBC’s William Crawley
March 20: The Cube Theatre, The Crescent Arts Centre, University Road, Belfast 8.00pm: imaginebelfast.com
4.George Monbiot: Regenesis
George Monbiot is an author, Guardian columnist and environmental activist, whose current research focus is on the global food system. In this online talk with Alan Meban, he will discuss how we can feed the world without devouring the planet.
March 21: Online, 4pm, Free Admission: imaginebelfast.com
5. Sherine Tadros: A talk about Love, War and Changing the World
Award-winning former war correspondent Sherine Tadros explains how she swapped career to become a human rights activist and gives a passionate defence of human rights in an age of rising authoritarianism.
March 22: Crescent Arts Centre, University Road, Belfast 5pm, Free Admission: imaginebelfast.com
6. Medbh McGuckian: The Thankless Paths to Freedom
Medbh McGuckian is one of our most renowned poets She has over fifteen poetry collections, the most recent of which is The Thankless Paths to Freedom which has won rave reviews.
March 23: The Cube Theatre, Crescent Arts Centre, University Road, Belfast, 1pm, Free Admission: imaginebelfast.com
7.Homing in on Human Rights
This event presents Irish journalist Sally Hayden; Ugandan human rights advocate and writer Stella Nyanzi in conversation with Liz McManus, and poetry by Ammar Al Najjar.
March 24: The Cube Theatre, Crescent Arts Centre, University Road, Belfast, 1pm, Free Admission: maginebelfast.com
8.The Imagine! Festival Politics Quiz
Think you know your politics, your left wing from your right wing? Then sign up for this fun pub quiz and test your knowledge in the American Bar.
March 26: The American Bar, 65-65a Dock Street, Belfast 8pm: maginebelfast.com
9.The Garden Gathering:Imagining a future with greenspace for all
Gardeners, partners and the wider public, including never been gardeners, are welcome to come together for food and chat about the many benefits of growing food
March 25: 2 Royal Avenue, 10am, Free Admission: imaginebelfast.com
10.Beans Film Screening
Inspired by true events, Beans follows a Mohawk girl on the cusp of adolescence who must grow up fast and become her own kind of warrior during the armed stand-off known as the 1990 Oka Crisis.
March 25: Queen’s Film Theatre, University Square, 6.15pm, Free Admission: imaginebelfast.com
The full Imagine! Belfast Festival of Ideas and Politics 2023 programme is available to view online via imaginebelfast.com.