Belfast International Arts Festival (BIAF) will mark its Diamond Year with a program of events addressing the current and future nature and role of arts and culture in society, contemporary issues affecting our international artists and the country of Ireland. North in the global world.
From 5 October to 6 November, over 320 imaginative, inspiring and intriguing events spanning the artistic disciplines of music, theatre, dance, film, visual arts and debate will be staged across the city of Belfast to everyone was engaged and enjoyed.
The autumn program follows an earlier-than-usual festival opening in April 2022, when BIAF celebrated the start of its anniversary year with a major free event; the spectacular outdoor production Cristal Palace by the French company Transe Express, with a cast of the local community.
The festival’s autumn season opens on October 5 with the UK premiere of Dinner with Groucho, a new play by acclaimed Irish writer Frank McGuinness. Produced by b*spoke theater company, the show promises great wit, brilliant buffoonery and reflections on the transitory nature of life from the award-winning writer of such iconic plays as Watch the Sons of Ulster March to the Somme, Someone Who Wants Watch Over Me and The Factory Girls.
At the heart of this year’s program is a special focus on Canada and the Middle East and North Africa. Canadian events include Vivek Shraya’s How to Fail as a Popstar, a reflection on the power of pop culture, dreams, disappointment and self-determination; the European premiere of The Queen and I, an energetic new opera that combines comedy and drama by Teiya Kasahara 笠原貞野 (they/them) exploring the many ways race, gender and sexuality are policed in the opera industry and closes festival , the critically acclaimed Kiinalik: These insightful tools bring together two extraordinary artists to examine their intertwined histories, colonial legacies and the changing climate we all face.
A particular focus on new contemporary works from the Middle East and North Africa is among the projects supported by the British Council, BIAF’s Major International Partner, and features Another Lover’s Discussion ليه خلتني احبك, a new work commissioned by Palestinian interdisciplinary artist Riham Isaac plus new stage works by Egyptian choreographer Shaymaa Shoukry and live performance and Moroccan visual artist Youness Atbane, as well as a concert featuring recently arrived refugees from across the Middle East. Also, BIAF will host delegations of artists and programmers from the Middle East and India, who will have the opportunity to see the work of local artists up close. In particular, there will be an exchange of delegations between BIAF and Cairo’s D-CAF (Downtown Contemporary Arts Festival) with Belfast welcoming D-CAF director Ahmed El Attar in October with an opportunity for local audiences to hear him him to talk about the current modern. the art scene in Egypt and the Arab world.
Fans of traditional Irish music will be delighted as Martin Hayes, one of the world’s most celebrated violinists and an influential figure in the genre, brings his latest project, The Common Ground Ensemble, to the Grand Opera House on Tuesday 25 October. The following night, hitmaker Paul Carrack takes to the stage.
The BIAF22 Talks & Ideas series brings together international and local names to explore thought-provoking topics including state violence, freedom of speech and movement, culture, society, permanence and the creative possibilities opened up by our digital world. As part of the festival’s long-standing partnership with the Institut Français, two of France’s most original and acclaimed novelists, GauZ’ and David Foenkinos, will join a free digital event to discuss their latest works, while Black The Box will host one of modern England’s best and funniest chroniclers, Jonathan Coe, as he reads and discusses his new novel, Bournville.
Belfast International Arts Festival chief executive and artistic director Richard Wakely says the 60th edition is an opportunity to take stock and set a vision for its future.
“60 years is a momentous occasion and we pause to reflect on the artistic talent and creative commissions that have seen Belfast International Arts Festival reach this important milestone, our diamond anniversary. However, this year’s festival is future-proofed, underpinned by creative collaboration and a truly international program that reflects our core values; global connectivity, community, access and participation, and contemporary art practice. The festival has evolved greatly over the past six decades, and it continues to do so with this year’s program demonstrating the unique ability of artists to respond to the changing world around us.
“From growing local talent and platforms like our Artist in Residence and new Featured Artist programs to significant bodies of work from Canada, Europe and the Middle East and North Africa, our festival this year reflects the vital role we play in the fabric of Belfast itself. and its contribution to the city’s growing status and appeal as a major cultural capital.”
Complementing its long-running Artist in Residence program, this year’s festival includes a new programming area, the Featured Artist, which takes a deeper look at the work of a featured artist or ensemble. The first featured artist is the rising young star of French and European dance, Noé Soulier, whose works are performed live and online.
Also blazing a trail in Europe is NI dancer Oona Doherty’s biggest project yet – Navy Blue, which returns home on 25-26 October. Other homegrown talent includes double Ivor Novello-nominated composer Conor Mitchell, Propaganda: A New Musical, playing at the Lyric Theatre, Cahoots’ The Ghost House building on the sell-out success of Grimm’s Hotel past and an adaptation of Owen Booth’s Frankenstein’s Monster is drunk and the sheep have jumped all the fences from the Big Telly Theatre.
In the spirit of collaboration, BIAF welcomes partners old and new with the Belfast Music Association’s Northern Lights Mini-Fest and BBC Radio 3’s popular free concert series; Belfast Harbor is once again sponsoring the community ticketing scheme; and a new collaboration with Design & Crafts Council Ireland, Craft NI and National Museums NI brings the Irish Craft Heroes outdoor exhibition to the Botanic Gardens, which highlights 50 years of craft making and makers across the island.
The Mayor of Belfast, Councilor Christina Black, said: “Belfast City Council has been a long-standing supporter of the Belfast International Arts Festival and we are delighted to support the 60th edition of the festival: autumn program – a highlight in Belfast’s cultural calendar.
“The festival has earned a reputation as a progressive, contemporary, global arts event that contributes to Belfast’s profile and reputation as a vibrant cultural city. With civic engagement at its heart, it brings our community together but also connects our city to young audiences far and wide, showcasing our rich local talent and highlighting our UNESCO status.
“I look forward to enjoying the range of activities on offer during this special anniversary year.”
Roisín McDonough, Chief Executive, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, commented: “The Arts Council, as a long-standing major funder, is proud to support Northern Ireland’s leading international contemporary arts festival. We support it, not only as an exhibition and meeting place of new ideas and new creativity, but for its desire to open up this inspiring world and share it with everyone – to widen the audience for contemporary arts through community ticket incentives and free events and low cost so that everyone is encouraged to embrace this very special anniversary festival. Happy 60th!”
Tourism NI Chief Executive John McGrillen added: “This year marks the 60th Belfast International Arts Festival, which we are delighted to support. The events and festivals contribute greatly to the positive perception and profile of Ireland. North and are recognized as important economic drivers. I wish the organizers, sponsors, participants and attendees the best of luck for an exciting event.”
Jonathan Stewart, director of the British Council in Northern Ireland, said: “At the British Council we have a long history with the Belfast International Arts Festival and have been a partner since its inception in 1962. It is therefore extremely rewarding for us to let’s see in this year of the 60th anniversary that international connections and relations continue to grow.
“In 2022, we are welcoming artists and arts organizations from across the Middle East and North Africa to Northern Ireland and look forward to sharing the region’s incredible performance art with local audiences. In addition, we are supporting connections new between Northern Ireland and the Caribbean, with the festival linked to Bocas Lit Fest in Trinidad and Tobago.
“The festival is a vital part of Northern Ireland’s cultural calendar and does tremendous work for our arts sector, and we wish them every success in this important milestone year.”
