Author: Tina Calder

Statement from the Connswater Creatives & Community Organisations

The abrupt decision to close Connswater Shopping Centre with just two weeks’ notice has left multiple community, arts, and charitable organisations facing immediate displacement and severe operational and financial challenges. 

The closure, set for Friday 21 March 2025, was announced without prior consultation or consideration for the impact on local organisations and service users, who are often generally vulnerable and/or with high needs.

The organisations affected, including Arts Care, Open Arts, Fighting Words NI, Strand Arts Centre, Platform Arts, Home-Start and the Men’s Shed have been integral in revitalising the centre as a community and creative hub, providing vital arts, education, mental health, and disability services. The sudden closure will result in disruptions to essential programmes, financial losses exceeding £200,000, and the loss of a safe, accessible space for local residents.

Failure to Consult and Lack of Transparency

The closure has come as a shock to tenants who had long-term investment plans based on assurances from Connswater Shopping Centre’s management. 

Despite organisations collectively investing in their units, and despite previous expectations that the centre would continue operating for at least another year, the closure was announced on 7 March 2025 with a demand for all tenants to vacate by 21 March 2025.

There has been no meaningful engagement from the receivers BDO or managing agents CBRE, to explore alternative solutions or to provide support for the organisations affected. Many of the tenants are charities, non-profits, and grassroots community organisations that do not have the financial reserves to relocate at short notice. 

This lack of communication and engagement has led to widespread disruption and uncertainty for organisations, staff, volunteers, and service users.

Severe Impact on Community and Arts Programmes

The closure of Connswater Shopping Centre will have far-reaching consequences for the local community, particularly for the elderly, disabled people, young people, and vulnerable groups who regularly use the space.

• Arts and Disability Services – Open Arts, which provides creative opportunities for disabled people, will lose the home of the only full Javanese gamelan orchestra in Northern Ireland, a uniquely accessible music resource that has benefited thousands of participants over three decades.
• Arts and Community Wellbeing – Arts Care will lose its gallery, dance studio, music space, and ceramic kiln, disrupting creative wellbeing programmes that have benefited people of all ages, including older residents and those with mental health challenges. The space has been a key hub for exhibitions, arts therapy, and movement-based projects, providing a vital social and creative outlet for the community. With £30,000 invested in refurbishments, the closure presents significant financial and logistical challenges. The sudden eviction jeopardises the continuity of creative health initiatives in East Belfast, impacting service users, artists, and local community groups.
• Creative and Educational Programmes – Fighting Words NI has supported thousands of children and young people in developing their writing skills. The loss of a dedicated creative space will make it significantly harder to run workshops, especially for neurodiverse and disabled children who rely on tailored environments.
• Film and Performing Arts – Strand Arts Centre has been using Connswater as a temporary home while its main cinema undergoes refurbishment. The loss of this space will halt dementia-friendly screenings, youth film workshops, and historical talks that have engaged hundreds of people weekly.
• Studio and Exhibition Space – Platform Arts, a hub for contemporary artists, will lose its studio spaces, forcing artists out with no immediate relocation options. The loss of dedicated workspaces for artists could result in financial instability and lost income.
• Community Social Services – Home-Start, Men’s Shed and other community organisations have used Connswater as a safe, welcoming space for families, mental health support groups, and elderly residents. Without an alternative location, many of these essential services will be significantly disrupted or forced to close entirely.

Financial and Logistical Crisis

The financial repercussions of this closure are extensive. Many organisations invested heavily in refurbishments, including improvements to accessibility, heating, and lighting, with the expectation that they would be able to use the space for the foreseeable future. 

We believe there is likely to have been more than £200,000 spent collectively across organisations on improving their units, and now that investment is being wasted with no recourse for compensation.

The cost of relocation, moving equipment, finding new venues, and re-establishing programmes is beyond the financial capabilities of many tenants. The short timeframe has made it nearly impossible to secure new premises that meet the needs of the displaced organisations. 

This situation is particularly damaging for groups that work with disabled individuals, older people, and those with additional needs, as suitable spaces that meet accessibility standards are in short supply.

Signed:

Barry Macauley, CEO, Arts Care

Eileen Branagh, CEO, Open Arts

Mimi Turtle, CEO, Strand Arts Centre

Hilary Copeland, Director, Fighting Words NI

Platform Arts

Home Start

John Lavery, Secretary, Men’s Shed

Larne social enterprise Access Employment Limited (AEL) has announced the launch of their new website creategifts.co.uk to expand their range of personalised and customised gifts.

Since its establishment two years ago, Create Gifts has focused on supplying bulk merchandise, corporate gifts, and awards to businesses. 

The launch of its personalised gifts range marks a significant expansion, offering engraved and full-colour personalisation options across a variety of products.

Jackie Reid, Head of Business at Create Gifts, said: “Create Gifts is a Social Enterprise of AEL. For the last two years we have concentrated predominantly on bulk merchandise, corporate gifts and awards to businesses, but now we are delighted to announce that we have extended our product range and are launching our personalised gifts range.

“Here at Create Gifts, we believe that a personalised gift shows a deeper level of thoughtfulness and care, as it is specifically tailored to a person’s interests and memories. 

“This makes the gift more unique and meaningful, and demonstrates that the giver took the time to create something special for them. Our personalised gifts selection includes engraved and full-colour personalisation, perfect for everyone and for every occasion.”

The expanded product range includes personalised items such as pink sparkly thermal water bottles, Northern Ireland slang mugs, personalised photo slates, and a variety of Mother’s Day gifts, including customised egg boards, ‘10 Reasons Why I Love Mum’ hearts, and Mother’s Day mugs.

Beyond its product offering, Create Gifts is committed to making a positive social impact by providing work experience and training opportunities to individuals with additional needs, learning disabilities, health conditions, and social disadvantage.

Laura Steele, CEO of AEL, said the new website is just another way AEL is delivering on its mission to offer opportunities for vulnerable or disadvantaged individuals.

She explained: “This is a very exciting time for all of us, and especially for our trainees. But Create Gifts is more than just a gift store! Here at AEL, our businesses, like Create Gifts, provide work experience and training to individuals with additional needs, learning disabilities, health conditions and social disadvantage. 

“When you make a purchase at Create Gifts, you are gifting with a purpose, and helping us to help others.”

AEL, Northern Ireland’s first social enterprise, was founded in 1998 to provide meaningful employment and training opportunities for individuals facing barriers to work. It operates a range of commercial ventures, reinvesting 100% of profits into sustaining and expanding these initiatives.

By purchasing from Create Gifts, customers are not only receiving high-quality, customised gifts but also directly supporting employment and training opportunities for individuals who may otherwise struggle to access the workforce.

For more information go to creategifts.co.uk

The annual 4 Corners Festival is back for another packed lineup of events this year. The festival, which will feature a range of art, music, discussion, sport and faith-inspired events, runs from January 31 to February 9, 2025 in venues across the city. 

Now in its 13th year, the festival was conceived as a way to inspire people from across the city to transform it for the peace and wellbeing of all.

The 2025 4 Corners Festival is once again set to inspire connection, reflection and community through a dynamic lineup of events spanning a wide range of disciplines, such as art, music, discussion, sport and other activities.

Held throughout the city, this year’s programme revolves around the central theme of HOME?, an exploration of the complex and multifaceted idea of a place which holds both connection and disjointedness.

Among the festival’s many highlights are two events that weave together tradition, storytelling, and artistry: Peacemakers and 4 Corners Knitters. These events promise to bring people together from all corners of Belfast, creating opportunities for collaboration and reflection.

Under the dome at 2 Royal Avenue, participants will have the opportunity to contribute to Peacemakers, a week-long, large-scale French knitting project facilitated by Glasgow-based artists Heidi and Peter Gardner.

Visitors can drop in to try their hand at the craft, adding to a growing tapestry of colourful, interconnected threads that reflect the vibrancy and diversity of Belfast’s stories. At the festival’s closing event, the final piece will be stretched out and presented as a symbol of community and shared identity.

This marks the first time the Gardners’ acclaimed Peace Loom has been brought to Northern Ireland. Since its inception in Scotland in 2014, the installation has been hosted in cities across the UK, engaging participants of all ages and backgrounds. Donations of leftover wool are encouraged and can be brought to the installation throughout the week.

Celebrating St Brigid’s Day, the 4 Corners Knitters event at St John’s Newtownbreda invites knitters and crafters of all levels to gather for a morning of creativity and conversation.

Participants will learn the traditional skill of weaving St Brigid’s crosses. As in previous years, knitted items created during the event will be donated to charities supporting asylum seekers and those experiencing homelessness in Belfast.

Speaking about the upcoming festival, Steve Stockman, 4 Corners Festival co-founder, said the focus is rooted in Belfast and its community.

He said: “Home is a powerful metaphor, used by poets, preachers, politicians and others seeking to paint a picture of a sense of belonging to a place. 

“The idea is also used in various encouraging and challenging ways within the Old and New Testament scriptures, but not all homes are happy.

“From the beginning of the 4 Corners Festival we have aimed at encouraging people to get out of the physical corners of this city we call home, and to feel more at home in different parts of their own city; to realise that their home is bigger than they thought.

Fellow festival co-founder Father Martin Magill, hopes the theme of HOME? will bring awareness to the city’s residents, not just shedding light on the encouragement of tourists to the area.

Martin said: “The strapline for Belfast City Council’s current tourism strategy is ‘Make Yourself at Home’, with a laudable emphasis on inclusion. 

“But what about those who already call Belfast their home – be they people whose families have lived here from before it became a city, to those who have settled here from all over the world for all kinds of reasons; those who rarely leave their corner of the city, to those who left it years ago but love to come ‘home’ for special events, including the 4 Corners Festival; those who live in a comfortable home in a vibrant community, to those who are some of the many unseen homeless in our city, not just those who sleep on our streets; those who know every nook and cranny of our city and its complex history, to those who feel uneasy with the direction that the city seems to be heading in the future?”

4 Corners Festival is supported by The Executive Office’s Central Good Relations Fund, The Department of Foreign Affairs Reconciliation Fund and Belfast City Council Good Relations Fund, St Anne’s Cathedral Sitout and Linen Quarter BID.

For more information about the festival and to keep up to date with programme updates go to 4cornersfestival.com

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council has launched the Go Succeed in the Community programme of events starting on Friday January 31.  

This free community enterprise outreach programme is aimed at supporting and encouraging individuals to start or grow a business through a series of roadshows, networking events and coffee mornings.

Alderman Grehan, Chair Regeneration & Growth Committee said: “We are excited to offer a range of events and initiatives to bring the exciting world of business and enterprise directly to our community. Starting or growing a business can feel daunting, especially without knowing what support is available. 

“The council is committed to making enterprise more accessible through connecting people with successful local entrepreneurs to share valuable information and advice and inspire others to consider starting or growing their own business. Go Succeed can help them build a brighter future for themselves through enterprise.”

All roadshows and events are open to everyone. Whether you have a business idea, are simply interested in becoming a business owner in the future or have already begun your entrepreneurial journey join us!

The events are informal, informative and insightful, with something for everyone. Those attending will have the opportunity to meet with local Go Succeed representatives who can help them on their journey.  

Throughout the programme of events Go Succeed In The Community will be working with statutory, community and third sector organisations across Lisburn and Castlereagh. These include: Lisburn City Library, SERC Lisburn, Ballybeen Women’s Centre, Lisburn YMCA, Lisburn Chamber of Commerce, King’s Trust, Stepping Stones, Lisburn Enterprise Organisation, Atlas Women’s Centre, Inspire Business Centre, Impact Youth, Toastmasters, Inclusify Project, Mind Tribe UK and Mums At Work Lisburn.

The first roadshow will kick off on Friday January 31 in Lisburn City Library where attendees will hear from keynote speaker entrepreneur Oscar Woolley, one of the founders of Suki Tea Makers. He will be joined by local businesswomen Sarah Hoppe from Sew Ready and Melanie Coey from M Squared Accountancy and Lisburn City Library Cafe.

On Friday 21 February the Dream It Build It: Empowering Young Entrepreneurs event at Lisburn YMCA will be led by Go Succeed ambassador Jonny Clarke from Inkspirational Branding. Also appearing on the panel will be the Go Succeed Ultimate Pitch Lisburn & Castlereagh winner Emma Stephenson from Feminatech who also recently scooped the Rising Star regional award for The Ultimate Pitch too. 

The programme of events will see a series of networking events including one at the Stepping Stones Courtyard Cafe on Monday February 24 to talk about how to make a difference in the world in business. From social enterprises to businesses with a social mission, attendees will get the chance to hear from the people who are changing their communities locally with their business. 

All events are free to attend and those interested can attend as an individual or as part of a group.

For more information or to book an event go to bit.ly/GoSucceedInTheCommunity

The 4 Corners Festival is returning in 2025 for its 13th year, with a packed lineup of inspiring and thought-provoking talks, discussions, and workshops that promise to engage and challenge attendees. With the theme Home? as its focus, the festival runs from 31 January to 9 February across Belfast, offering a diverse programme designed to spark meaningful conversations.

From exploring the theology of homelessness to uncovering the history of Belfast’s streets, this year’s festival will push the boundaries of dialogue, reflection, and understanding. 

Here are six thought-provoking talks taking place during the festival in 2025.

1. Caring for Our Earthly Home

Sunday 2 February 2025 at 7PM
Jennymount Methodist Church, 222 North Queen Street

Dr Lorna Gold, Chair of the Laudato Si’ Movement, delves into our shared responsibility to care for the Earth in this compelling event. Drawing on her book Climate Generation – Awakening to Our Children’s Future, Dr Gold explores how faith and action can address the threats of climate change. 

Attendees will be challenged and inspired to consider how connections between humanity and the planet can create a more sustainable future. The event also features a musical performance by Cork songwriter Clare Sands, whose innovative style reimagines traditional music.

2. Naming Belfast: Learning About Street Names in the Four Corners of Belfast

Monday 3 February 2025 at 7:30PM
The Duncairn, Duncairn Avenue

Take a journey through Belfast’s history with Dr Paul Tempan, Fr Martin Magill, Linda Ervine, and singer-songwriter Brian Houston. This enlightening discussion uncovers the stories behind the city’s street names, exploring how layers of conquest, empire, and cultural shifts have shaped its identity. 

Expect a deep dive into the rich tapestry of Belfast’s heritage, brought to life through music, conversation, and fascinating insights.

3. Home in a Time of Homelessness

Tuesday 4 February 2025 at 7:30PM
St Comgall’s, Divis Street

Homelessness takes many forms, and this powerful talk by Siobhán Garrigan, Loyola Professor of Theology at Trinity College Dublin, challenges modern theology’s understanding of ‘home’. Siobhán explores the intersection of theology, consumerism, and nationalism, presenting a revolutionary idea of home as ‘participating instead of possessing.’ 

The event features music by Caroline Orr, Norman McKinley, and Peter Greer, creating an atmosphere of reflection and hope.

4. Can We Bring Reconciliation Home?

Thursday 6 February 2025 at 7:30 PM
St Mary’s College, 191 Falls Road

How far has Northern Ireland progressed on the road to reconciliation? This panel discussion, hosted by Will Leitch, brings together speakers including Davy Adams, Nicola Brady, Monica McWilliams, and Spike Murray to examine the challenges and opportunities for peacebuilding. 

The event also features a dramatic performance based on Psalm 85, offering a creative prelude to a vital and timely conversation.

5. In Conversation About Home with Anthony Toner and Andrea Montgomery

Friday 7 February 2025 at 7:30 PM
Fitzroy Presbyterian Church, 77 University Street

Join songwriter Anthony Toner and playwright Andrea Montgomery for a captivating conversation about how the concept of home shapes their creative work. Anthony reflects on his Coleraine childhood and East Belfast roots through his music, while Andrea shares stories from her global career, spanning four continents. 

Hosted by Steve Stockman, this event offers a unique blend of music, art, and storytelling.

6. I’ll Call You Home

Sunday 9 February 2025 at 7PM
St Colmcille’s Church, 191a Upper Newtownards Road

The festival’s closing event features a reflection on the creativity and community fostered by the Peacemakers project. Rev. Neil Craigan will bring together the themes of the festival, culminating in a stirring performance of I’ll Be Your Home by Dana Masters. 

The evening concludes with Andrew Masters leading attendees out of the festival, inspired to make Belfast a home for all.

All events at the 4 Corners Festival are free, but booking is essential. For full programme details and to secure your place, visit 4cornersfestival.com.

The 4 Corners Festival is back for its 13th year, bringing an eclectic programme of events to Belfast from 31 January to 9 February 2025. 

With this year’s theme of Home?, the festival promises to inspire thought, connection, and community through a diverse range of art, music, discussion, and faith-based events.

Among the highlights of the festival are a series of captivating music performances and collaborations that explore the idea of home from a range of creative perspectives. 

Here are 7 incredible music acts set to appear at this year’s festival:

1. Canticle Sacred Music Society Choir – Morning Service

Sunday 2 February 2025 at 9:30AM
Church of St John the Evangelist, 444 Falls Rd, Belfast BT12 6EN

The Canticle Sacred Music Society Choir, the choir of the Catholic Chaplaincy at Queen’s University Belfast will set a reflective tone for the annual Morning Service broadcast on BBC Radio Ulster. Known for their dedication to sacred music, the choir’s harmonies will enrich this special service. 

Speaker Lorna Gold will share insights into our responsibilities toward the Earth, while the choir’s performance will underscore the service’s themes of care, unity, and faith.

2. Clare Sands – Caring for Our Earthly Home

Sunday 2 February 2025 at 7:00PM
Jennymount Methodist Church, 222 North Queen Street, BT15 3DH

Clare Sands, an innovative Cork-based songwriter, brings her groundbreaking style to the Caring for Our Earthly Home event. Known for blending and blurring genres, Clare reimagines traditional music with her self-titled debut album, which challenges conventions in music, language, and subject matter.

Her performance will add a creative dimension to this event, which features Dr Lorna Gold discussing the intersection of faith, environmental stewardship, and collective responsibility.

3. Brian Houston – Naming Belfast: Learning About Street Names in the Four Corners of Belfast

Monday 3 February 2025 7:30PM
The Duncairn, Duncairn Avenue, BT14 6BP

Belfast-born singer-songwriter Brian Houston brings his musical talents to Naming Belfast, an event exploring the city’s history through its street names. Known for his dynamic performances and heartfelt lyrics, Brian will weave music into the storytelling, adding a rich, emotive layer to this fascinating journey through Belfast’s past.

Alongside Dr Paul Tempan, Fr Martin Magill, and Linda Ervine, Brian will help uncover the hidden stories and cultural significance behind the city’s streets, inviting attendees to reflect on how history shapes our sense of home.

4. Caroline Orr, Norman McKinley, and Peter Greer – Home in a Time of Homelessness

Tuesday 4 February 2025 at 7:30PM
St Comgall’s, Divis Street, BT12 4AQ

Festival regulars Caroline Orr, Norman McKinley, and Peter Greer return to provide the musical backdrop for Home in a Time of Homelessness. The event explores the pervasive challenges of homelessness through the lens of theology, led by Siobhán Garrigan, Professor of Theology at Trinity College Dublin.

Their music promises to deepen the reflective and thought-provoking atmosphere of the evening.

5. Anthony Toner – In Conversation About Home with Anthony Toner and Andrea Montgomery

Friday 7 February 2025 at 7:30PM
Fitzroy Presbyterian Church, 77 University Street, BT7 1HL

Celebrated songwriter Anthony Toner, best known for his poignant storytelling and evocative lyrics, joins the festival for the annual In Conversation event. Anthony, whose album Six Inches of Water chronicles life in East Belfast, will share his thoughts on the theme of home alongside his partner, Andrea Montgomery. 

The evening will feature music, art, and discussion, offering a glimpse into how home shapes creativity and identity.

6. Iain Archer – 30th Anniversary Homecoming Concert

Saturday 8 February 2025 at 3:00PM & 7:30PM
Lyric Theatre (Naughton Studio), 55 Ridgeway Street, BT9 5FB

Two-time Ivor Novello award winner Iain Archer returns to Belfast for a rare solo performance marking 30 years since his first headline show at the Lyric Theatre. Known for his songwriting collaborations with James Bay, Snow Patrol, and Liam Gallagher, Iain will take audiences on a journey through his extensive catalogue of work. 

With unallocated seating and high demand, attendees are encouraged to book early for this unmissable homecoming concert.

7. Dana Masters – I’ll Call You Home

Sunday 9 February 2025 at 7:00PM
St Colmcille’s Church, 191a Upper Newtownards Road, BT4 3JB

The festival closes with a performance of Dana Masters’ poignant song I’ll Be Your Home, which embodies the essence of the 2025 theme. The event will reflect on the festival’s highlights, featuring a talk by Rev. Neil Craigan and a presentation of the Peacemakers project. 

Dana’s soulful voice will leave audiences inspired as they are encouraged to reflect on the meaning of home and belonging.

All events at the 4 Corners Festival are free, but booking is essential. For full programme details and to secure your place, visit 4cornersfestival.com.

Authentic flavour-packed menu prepared by passionate chefs

A new restaurant has opened in Derry/Londonderry following the expansion of a well-known local takeaway.

Moksh, which has created 8 new jobs in the city, has launched its new restaurant on the city’s Spencer Road where beautiful Indian meals are prepared by their top rated chefs.

The new restaurant builds on Moksh’s already renowned flavour packed takeaway service and has created eight new jobs.

It is owned by businessmen Umesh Aggarwal, Pushpender Thakur and Sushil Malik.

Co-owner, Umesh Aggarwal, said the restaurant stands out for its commitment to authentic Indian cuisine, emphasising fresh ingredients and traditional cooking methods.

“We invested in the whole building,” he said. “Refurbishing the interior and exterior with Moksh colours to create a calming ambiance.

“We hired additional well-trained staff to help create a happy and friendly environment where people can come to relax and enjoy authentic Indian food and drink.” 

Mr Aggarwal said the ambiance of the restaurant is designed to reflect Indian culture. Bringing people together to provide a memorable dining experience. Additionally, Moksh prioritises sustainability and local sourcing.

“We have a diverse menu that includes regional specialities, vegetarian and vegan options in unique fusion dishes.

“We offer a wide range of different authentic Indian Starters, Curries, Biryani’s, Kebabs, Naan, Rice, Vegetarian curries & Chef’s Specialities as well as Soft and Alcoholic Beverages.”

Since opening in 2023 in its previous Culmore premises in 2023, the move to Spencer Street earlier this year enabled Moksh to develop the high standard restaurant.

Fellow co-owner Pushpender Thakur said customers will be able to choose from rich and creamy curries, sizzling kebabs, fragrant biryani, or the tantalizing goodness of Indian street food.

“Our diverse menu offers a delectable selection of dishes that cater to every palate, from mild to fiery, vegetarian to meat-lover, and everything in between, said Mr Thakur. 

“Our chefs are passionate about crafting each dish with the finest ingredients and traditional Indian spices to ensure an unforgettable dining experience.

“And, don’t miss our Chef’s Specials, where our culinary experts showcase their creativity with innovative, one-of-a-kind creations that will surprise and delight your taste buds.”

Partner in the business Sushil Malik said the team were looking forward to extending the Moksh Indian Restaurant welcome to all lovers of great food.

He added: “Whether you’re planning a cosy night or hosting a gathering of friends and family, Moksh Indian Restaurant is your go-to destination for delicious Indian food that never compromises on quality or authenticity.

Join us on a flavourful journey through India’s culinary treasures. Taste the Moksh difference today.”

Moksh Indian Restaurant is at 162 Spencer Rd, Derry/Londonderry, BT47 6AH.

A striking photography exhibition exploring environmental responsibility is set to open as part of the 2025 4 Corners Festival.

The Our Common Home Exhibition will launch at 2 Royal Avenue, Belfast, at 4pm on Friday January 31, marking the beginning of its week-long run.

The 4 Corners Festival, now in its 13th year, runs from January 31 to February 9 with a mission to inspire connection and reflection across Belfast’s communities. 

This year’s theme is HOME?, offering another year of diverse range of events including art, music, drama, and faith-inspired activities aimed at encouraging attendees to explore new corners of the city and forge meaningful connections. 

Speaking of the exhibition, director of Westcourt Centre, Cormac McArt said: “The idea for the exhibition this year came around because 2025 marks the 10th anniversary of the publication of Laudato Si, which was Pope Francis’s encyclical about environmental responsibility and care for the earth. 

“The exhibition will be produced by Westcourt camera club, a local camera club of around 20 members who will create a series of images that reflect environmental responsibility on our own doorstep. It’s no longer a case of hearing about climate and environmental issues in other parts of the world – we’re now seeing very real concerns on our own doorstep

“We think of things like Lough Neagh, Belfast Lough and how we can reduce the carbon footprint locally, and how each of us, with our daily actions and routines, can take more responsibility in terms of the environment.”

Our Common Home Exhibition commemorates the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si – On Care For Our Common Home. The encyclical, addressed to all people, advocates for environmental responsibility and a global dialogue on creating a sustainable future. 

Co-founders Steve Stockman and Father Martin Magill said the festival is a celebration of diversity and belonging, with this year’s events rooted in the concept of home as both a physical and emotional space.

Speaking of the exhibition Martin said: “This is now the third year we have worked with Westcourt Camera club.  We’ve gone back to them again this year because they take time to understand the theme we choose for the festival.  In the previous two years, I’ve been moved by the photographs which the club have curated, indeed photographs and the accompanying text are powerful and compelling”.

The wider 4 Corners Festival will encompass a wide variety of talks, discussions, practical workshops and more, spreading the word of local and global contextual issues across its ten day run. 

Aimed at broadening perspectives and helping people to think about bigger issues, such as homelessness, the care of our common home, the earth, transport and accessibility within our home city, these heavy integral topics are interwoven together with lighthearted festivities like music, poetry, drama and the visual arts.

The event’s schedule of activities will also challenge attendees to step beyond the physical and psychological ‘corners’ of Belfast, discovering new parts of their city, fresh perspectives and meaningful connections.

4 Corners Festival is supported by The Executive Office’s Central Good Relations Fund, The Department of Foreign Affairs Reconciliation Fund and Belfast City Council Good Relations Fund, St Anne’s Cathedral Sitout and Linen Quarter BID.

For more information about the festival and to keep up to date with programme updates go to 4cornersfestival.com