The annual 4 Corners Festival is back for another packed lineup of events next year.
The organising committee has announced its dates for 2024 and the theme which will be OUR STORIES…Towards A Culture Of Hope.
The festival, which will feature a range of art, music, discussion, sport and faith-inspired events, runs from February 1 to 11 in venues across the city.
Now in its 12th 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 4 Corners Festival is an embodiment of the change the organising committee wishes to see in Belfast – a manifestation of the Gospel’s teachings in action.
The festival believes in embracing our shared humanity, fostering connections, and creating a space where meaningful conversations can flourish. Each year the festival returns with a renewed purpose of transforming hearts, bridging divides, and leaving a lasting mark of positivity on Belfast.
Co-founder, Father Martin Magill explained that while in the past there was a focus on peace-making, the festival was about the next step.
“I see the 4 Corners Festival as making a contribution towards peace building, where people meet, get to know one another and are encouraged to keep meeting long after the festival has finished for another year. In many 4 Corners is a catalyst in building relationships.” he said.
Fellow co-founder, Reverend Steve Stockman said the traditional divides have changed much in recent years and that’s one of the things that keeps him involved.
“It is those moments where people come to a part of the city they’ve never been in before and they meet somebody across whatever the divides are,” he explained.
“Of course, we have the traditional Catholic/Protestant divide and that’s one of our major divides in Belfast, but there are other races in Belfast now too so there are all those kinds of divides, but there’s also class divides.”
OUR STORIES… Towards A Culture Of Hope is about inviting everyone to contribute their narratives, weaving a tapestry that reflects the essence of belonging and unity within the city’s diverse community.
The upcoming festival’s suite of events is designed to entice people out of their own ‘corners’ of the city and into new places where they will encounter new perspectives, new ideas and hopefully meet new friends.
“There is a correlation between the stories we tell and the culture we live in. Stories can highlight common ground, increase understanding and create connections. They hold the power to have a positive impact on our community and promote hope for the future” explained Megan Boyd, 4 Corners Festival Administrator.
All festival events are free of charge, with most open to the public, although advance booking of tickets is mandatory. Select events will be streamed online on the official 4 Corners Festival YouTube and Facebook accounts.
Tickets for the event will be available to book on the website in early December.
For more information about the festival and to keep up to date with programme updates go to 4cornersfestival.com
