On Saturday 3 August, 11.30am-2.30pm, a central stretch of the River Lagan – from Maysfield Basin to McConnell’s Weir near the Gasworks – will be the focus for Water Works. Arts organisation PS2 will lead a procession of 10,000 handmade boats along the waterway, culminating a series of over 90 workshops with residents, community groups, schools and residential homes since February. The event will feature larger vessels created by local artists, including a handmade skiff built by 70 volunteers using traditional boat-building techniques and another crafted from recycled materials, such as parts from SS Nomadic and a repurposed wind turbine, by local artist Paddy Bloomer.
Admission to the Lagan celebration is free and will include music from the HIVE Choir, theatre, dance, crafts and taster sessions with the Lagan Currachs.
From 10-18 August, ROOTS will bring to life a new community garden at the Black Mountain Shared Space Facility, next to the 'million brick' peace wall between Springmartin and Springfield. Residents have collaborated with award-winning choreographer Eileen McClory, Off the Rails Dance, and the Eden Project to create a vibrant garden and an innovative dance performance inspired by the history and potential of this shared space. Their outdoor performances, presented by the Belfast International Arts Festival at Queen’s, will immerse audiences in the garden.
Then, from 26-29 September, Thompson Dock – the birthplace of Titanic – will be the location for Shadowdock, a spectacular immersive experience combining light and sound to deliver an audio-visual journey into the city's past and imagining its future.
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Designed by Henry Sykes and Three's Theatre Company, with support from The Lightbody Foundation and music by composer Katie Richardson, this will be the first outdoor theatre event of its kind at the iconic dock. Audiences can experience the 30-minute performance from either above or below deck, offering a unique perspective each time.
Also opening in September will be The Wiggle Room – a 'digital playroom' for all ages, designed by children through engagement with creators Boom Clap Play and design agency Big Motive, working with Playboard NI.
Featuring cutting edge interactive technology and sensor inputs, it will be based in The MAC Belfast from 19 September to 29 November, creating a free drop-in space for children and adults to play and explore together, right in the heart of the city centre.
Water Works, ROOTS, Shadow Dock and The Wiggle Room are key highlights of Belfast 2024, a year-long celebration of the city's culture and creativity. So far, over 25,000 people have participated in 400 events, projects, and workshops, generating over 500 contracts for local artists and creatives.
Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Micky Murray, said: "Belfast 2024 has been encouraging people of all backgrounds to get creative, as well as supporting our arts sector to bring creativity into all sorts of new places. These projects are a real testament to that ethos – exciting, inspirational events which look to do something different and go beyond the norm, urging audiences to think about the spaces around us in new and different ways.
"This weekend’s Water Works celebration is the climax to months of hard work and insights into what our city’s rivers mean to us, and what they could be in the future. Similarly, the growth of the community garden here at Black Mountain has seen new friendships and skills blossom, alongside conversations about our divided past and hopes for the future. Shadowdock is a chance to bring an iconic place back to life and see our industrial heritage through new eyes, while The Wiggle Room will open up a much loved asset to a new audience – inviting families to have fun and enjoy time together in the city centre.
"I'm looking forward to joining audiences at these events, and would encourage people to come along and get involved in enjoying everything that Belfast 2024 has to offer."
Water Works, ROOTS and Shadow Dock are among ten projects that have been awarded an additional £250,000 in funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Dr Paul Mullan, NI Director at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, stated:
"We are pleased to support ten exciting Belfast 2024 Our Future Heritage projects which are using £250,000 of heritage funding, made possible by National Lottery players to explore Belfast’s heritage.
"Together, cultural organisations, artists and community groups are providing opportunities for people to engage with the city’s built, cultural, industrial, maritime, natural and intangible heritage, uncovering forgotten or overlooked sites and stories.
"This summer, we are celebrating #HeritageisOpen by highlighting interesting places and events. We’re looking forward to seeing Waterworks, ROOTS and Shadow Dock come to life in spaces across the city for everyone to enjoy."
