Engaging with Belfast International Arts Festival (BIAF) in its 60th year, we will explore diverse perspectives and experiment with ways of mapping, interrogating, and understanding the history and legacy of festivals in this region, and this festival in particular. We will think through the major issues shaping and influencing current festival production in Northern Ireland, including - though not limited to - cultural tourism agendas and policies, the representation of marginalised communities within festivals, and the challenge that Brexit presents for the complex border crossings that festivals frequently engender. We will hear from festival producers on the challenges they face and the opportunities they create, as well as from artists on what festivals have meant for them. A full programme of panels and contributors will be announced.

Attendance is free but places are limited.

Refreshments including lunch will be provided.

This event is supported by the Engaged Research Fund of the QUB School of Arts, English & Languages and with assistance from the BIAF team.

Organisers: Trish McTighe, Ali FitzGibbon, Queen's University Belfast; Kathryn White, Ulster University; Anna Zhang, Queen's University Belfast

Organiser contact: Trish McTighe (t.mctighe@qub.ac.uk)