AS HUMAN rights in many parts of the world continue to be threatened, the Dublin Arts and Human Rights Festival is set to celebrate those who defend the rights of all global citizens.
The festival line-up includes more than 80 events throughout Ireland, both in-person and online, aimed at celebrating the extraordinary work of human rights defenders, past and present, in Ireland and around the world, and highlighting climate change, political violence and mental health, amongst other critical issues.
The Dublin Arts and Human Rights Festival runs from October 14 – 23, and most events are free to attend.
The programme features acclaimed Irish and international artists and guest speakers, who perform exciting and innovative events which promote equality, human rights and diversity through the arts reaching audiences locally, nationally, and internationally.
Artistic curator for the festival, Mary Moyinhan, explained: ”The Dublin Arts and Humans Rights festival showcases the extraordinary work of people who defend human rights in Ireland and around the world, and the role of the arts and artists in promoting human rights today. We have been growing year on year to make this, our fourth event, the biggest, most innovative festival yet.”
The theme of the 2022 festival is ‘In Solidarity: A Celebration of Human Rights’, a celebration of community connections and a world where all people are treated equally with dignity and respect.
The annual international festival is organised by Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality and Front Line Defenders in partnership with a range of organisations across Ireland, Europe and Internationally.
The festival links the arts to civil society, active citizenship and politics through interdisciplinary performances, film screenings, documentaries, theatre, music, dance, visual and digital art, poetry, literature and historical memory.
It features creative conversations, panel discussions and arts-based workshops with Irish and international artists and guest speakers celebrating and promoting dignity, human rights and respect for all people equally.
Freda Manweiler, company manager at Smashing Times, said: “We are delighted to partner with some incredible organisations who lead the way in speaking out against human rights abuses, such as Amnesty International, Fighting Words, Irish Council for Civil Liberties, National Women’s Council of Ireland, Trócaire, and Poetry Ireland.”
Michael McCabe, compère for the show, ‘State of the Art: Transformative Memories in Political Violence’, commented: “It is wonderful to be involved in such an extraordinary exhibition, exploring themes of grief, disappearances and remembrance and how the arts can transform memories, exploring our collective knowledge.”
The 10-day festival will see over 80 acts perform, with more to be announced, throughout Dublin, Kerry and Antrim with artists and performers from over 17 countries.
Most events are free of charge, for more information and to book tickets go to www.smashingtimes.ie
