We’re delighted to announce that we’ve just launched our advance programme of events for our 2025 festival that’s taking place from 24th-30th March. The taster includes comedy, poetry, music, workshops and talks from leading speakers and performers – many appearing in Belfast for the first time.
Our new Festival Director, Mags White-O’Kane commented:
“We can’t wait to publish our full programme of over 100 events in the new year but as a taster we have released details of a number of keynote speakers and performers who will stimulate debate on new political and cultural ideas in our 11th annual festival taking place during 24th-30th March in venues across Belfast.
Many more events will be published in the run up to the launch of our festival in February. There is still time for the public to suggest events as part of our open call which closes on 15th November.”
The initial line-up includes Lemn Sissay, Jo Caulfield, Inua Ellams, Andy Zalzman, Anselm McDonnell and a series of events led by this year’s Artivist in Residence, Erin Fornoff.
The eclectic line-up includes:
Lemn Sissay – Let the Light Pour In
Spend an evening with a master of the spoken word, BAFTA nominated author, activist, performer and bestseller, Lemn Sissay OBE as he takes to our festival stage with this brand-new show on 29th March.
Jo Caulfield – comedy performance and talk about her new book
Nominated as “the best female Stand Up in the country” (Chortle), Jo is a regular on Radio 4 and a guest on Breaking The News. As well as performing her new evening show on 26th March, Jo’s recent book, The Funny Thing About Death will also be the focus of an earlier lunchtime talk.
Andy Zaltzman – The Zaltgeist
One of the UK’s leading satirical comedians, Andy assesses the state of Planet Earth and its most famous and controversial species – the human race – in much anticipated event in the Limelight on 28th March.
Inua Ellams – Search Party
The award-winning poet and playwright brings his chaotic, audience-led poetry event to the Crescent Arts Centre on 28th March.
Anselm McDonnell – Politics of the Imagination
Boundary-pushing rappers from the Birmingham hip-hop scene – Joel the Custodian, Kosyne, and Barrowclough – team up with avant-garde classical composer Anselm McDonnell to deliver an evening of genre-defying, humorous and hard-hitting music in the Oh Yeah Centre on 29th March.
Erin Fornoff – ‘Artivist’ in Residence
Described ‘as close to music as poetry gets’ and ‘entrancing, and often very funny’ by the Irish Times, Erin Fornoff will perform a selection of her work in a dynamic performance spanning Appalachia to Ireland and beyond on 26th March. Erin has performed at hundreds of events including three times at Glastonbury Festival, RTE Culture Night, national Irish tours, and shared stages with James Taylor and Hozier. As our ‘Artivist’ in Residence, Erin will deliver a number of workshops and a lunchtime talk about her practice.
