Human
Chain, a performing arts project organised by cultural diversity charity
ArtsEkta, will see more than 60 young people from diverse communities across
Northern Ireland perform together at the MAC, Belfast on Tuesday 19th
March, 2019 at 7.30pm.
Using the poetry
from Seamus Heaney’s last book as a springboard for conversations, Human Chain
captures the experiences of these young people using drama, music, movement and
visual art to explore what it is to be growing up at this time, in this
place. Their stories are full of joy, anger, frustration and hope,
highlighting the complexities faced by our young people as they navigate
through their formative years, trying to make sense of the world in their own
unique way
Aoife
Nic an tSaoir, Outreach and Engagement Officer, ArtsEkta who organised the
event says:
“We
wanted to provide a creative space for young people to explore and express
their culture and their identity. Seven groups from across Northern
Ireland were selected for this initiative with initial workshops in January.
This was followed by the development of short scenes that reflected the
participants’ experiences. As well as these individual pieces, the groups have
come together to create ensemble pieces where they have the opportunity to work
with young people from different cultures and traditions, highlighting both the
similarities and the differences that exist amongst the young people.”
Matt
Farris, Creative Director of this ArtsEkta project says:
“It
is the opportunity to come together and work alongside people from across
Northern Ireland – to share stories, hear the stories of others and develop a
greater understanding of the diversity that exists within Northern Ireland and
the way in which this enriches everyone’s experience. It is the opportunity to
showcase the work carried out during the workshops and to provide the participants
with a platform on which to have their voices heard, their opinions
acknowledged and feel that their views are contributing to the changes being
made within their own communities and across Northern Ireland.
“Human
Chain is young people telling it how it is for them as they navigate their way
through these formative years of their lives – the challenges they face, the
hopes they have, the changes that they want to make. It is by them, for them,
and for those of us who maybe don’t have the opportunity to hear what the
younger generation has to say about Northern Ireland in the past, present and
future.”
The
seven groups selected for this project which was funded by The Executive Office
through the T:BUC Scheme – Together Building United Committees are:
- Brownlow
Community Hub, Theatre, Movement and Film group – Craigavon
- Highfield
Youth Club, Theatre and Music group – Shankill Road, Belfast
- Tides
Training, Theatre and Film, Keady
- Colaiste
Feirste – Theatre and Movement – Falls Road, Belfast
- The Braid,
Dance and Movement – Ballymena
- Rainbow
Factory, Dance and Movement – Belfast City Centre
- St. Theresa’s
Youth Club, Visual Arts and Prop Making with Graffiti – Glen Road, Belfast
Members
of the West Belfast Women’s Choir will join the young groups for a special
finale. St Theresa’s Youth Club also worked with artist Eoin McGinn to create a
striking backdrop for the performance and all the groups took part in cultural
diversity workshops as part of this project.
Nisha
Tandon, Executive Director, ArtsEkta said:
“The
goal of this project is to give the participants the opportunity to participate
in high quality artistic workshops, building their confidence and giving them a
voice. Through their participation we have been exploring how they see
themselves within greater society and how they relate to people from different
backgrounds. We hope to break down barriers to relations between people from
different backgrounds and encourage young people to strive toward a society
where cultural difference are not only accepted but celebrated. We have worked
with young people from various community backgrounds and a key message that is
coming through is that they all experience the same issues and they all want
the opportunity to be involved in projects where they can express themselves.
“Through
the project, ArtsEkta has been able to strengthen existing partnerships and
form new relationships with a number of organisations across the province.
Throughout the project, the idea of ensuring a legacy to the project has always
been at the forefront of the work, gaining a greater understanding of each of
the groups that we are working with and ways in which they would benefit from
further arts engagement. A true success for this project would be the ongoing
and deeper engagement with each of our community partners and further education
and celebration of the diversity that exists in Northern Ireland.”
Human
Chain by ArtsEkta at the MAC, Belfast on Tuesday 19th March,
Admission Free, but tickets must be pre-booked via https://themaclive.com/event/human-chain-showcase After the show
there will be a reception with refreshments and a chance to meet the creative
team and cast of community participants.
