The Belfast International Arts Festival returns for its 62nd year from October 16 to November 23, bringing a diverse five-week programme of events that showcases the finest talent from around the world and Northern Ireland.
This year’s festival is rich with performances, talks, and exhibitions that explore themes of identity, resistance, and more. Among the vast array of offerings, several queer-centred events stand out, reflecting the festival’s commitment to championing diversity and inclusivity in the arts.
From literature and illustration to music and performance, these events illuminate the profound impact of LGBTQ+ voices on culture and society.
View this post on Instagram
Jon Savage – The Secret Public: How LGBTQ+ Resistance Shaped Culture 1955-79
One of the highlights of this year’s programme is a talk with Jon Savage, a Sunday Times bestselling author renowned for his works on the history of popular culture. Savage will make an appearance in Belfast to mark the publication of his newest book, The Secret Public: How LGBTQ+ Resistance Shaped Culture 1955-79.
In this compelling work, Savage examines the pivotal role of LGBTQ+ communities in transforming pop culture during the revolutionary period spanning the 1950s to the 1970s. With a focus on key moments in music, fashion, and entertainment, Savage demonstrates how LGBTQ+ resistance helped move queer culture from the fringes into the mainstream, ultimately changing the face of popular culture forever. This talk offers a deep dive into the intersections between culture and resistance, inviting audiences to reflect on how queer voices have shaped – and continue to shape – the world of arts and media. Book here.
View this post on Instagram
Bianca Xunise – Solo exhibition
Also featured in the programme is Bianca Xunise, a celebrated non-binary illustrator, writer, and educator based in Chicago. Xunise is known for their innovative work in the world of comics, where they explore themes of identity and belonging. In 2020, Xunise made history as the first Black, non-binary cartoonist to join the nationally publicised comic strip Six Chix.
Their work has appeared in prestigious publications such as Vogue, The Washington Post, and The Nib, and they have received two Ignatz Awards for their unique contributions to the field of illustration. Xunise’s work resonates with those who have ever felt like outsiders, offering a comforting and powerful message about individuality and self-expression. Book here.
View this post on Instagram
Les Amazones d’Afrique
In the realm of music, the festival welcomes Les Amazones d’Afrique, a collective of formidable female musicians from West Africa. Known for their fusion of traditional African rhythms with contemporary pop, Les Amazones d’Afrique deliver electrifying performances that challenge the status quo.
Through intricate harmonies and lyrics that address issues such as gender equality and social justice, their music transcends borders and speaks to universal struggles. Les Amazones d’Afrique embodies the spirit of empowerment and resistance that runs throughout the festival. Book here.
View this post on Instagram
Impasse
Another performance to watch out for is Impasse, a groundbreaking exploration of ethnicity, identity, and the Black diaspora. Impasse critically interrogates the ways in which Blackness has been historically misrepresented, and seeks to fill in the gaps where representation has been lacking altogether.
By engaging with these complex themes, the performance opens up space for reflection on the intersections of race, identity, and power, offering a moving and thought-provoking experience. Book here.
Visualizza questo post su Instagram
Through these queer-focused events, audiences at the Belfast International Arts Festival are invited to engage with challenging topics, celebrate diverse voices, and consider how resistance, in all its forms, has helped shape the cultural landscape we know today. Whether through literature, illustration, music, or performance, these artists remind us of the vital role that LGBTQ+ communities play in shaping the future of art and culture.
© 2024 GCN (Gay Community News). All rights reserved.
Support GCN
GCN has been a vital, free-of-charge information service for Ireland’s LGBTQ+ community since 1988.
During this global COVID pandemic, we like many other organisations have been impacted greatly in the way we can do business and produce. This means a temporary pause to our print publication and live events and so now more than ever we need your help to continue providing this community resource digitally.
GCN is a registered charity with a not-for-profit business model and we need your support. If you value having an independent LGBTQ+ media in Ireland, you can help from as little as €1.99 per month. Support Ireland’s free, independent LGBTQ+ media.
comments. Please sign in to comment.