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Local people get poetic at City Hall
19 October 2009
School children and senior citizens from across Belfast have been getting poetic as part of Belfast City Hall`s reopening celebrations.
Groups of new and older generations have been working with Belfast-based arts organisation, New Belfast Community Arts Initiative, local writers and artist, Wolfgang Buttress, to look at plans for `Rise`, Belfast`s largest public artwork, which will be located at Broadway Roundabout, and to learn more about creative expression through workshops.
The workshops have been designed to give people an insight into the process involved in creating this landmark piece of sculpture, to give an opportunity to reflect on what it symbolises for Belfast, and to offer their own creative insights in response.
Conor Shields, Director of New Belfast, explains:
“This has been a wonderful opportunity for local people to express their thoughts and feelings about their city creatively and to capture those ideas with the help of local writers. When installed in 2010, `Rise` will represent the sun rising on a new chapter in Belfast`s history.
“The enthusiasm in the workshops has been really infectious and a great indication of how warmly received this iconic new landmark will be”.
Local poetry facilitators Chelley McLear, Jane Bailey, Jani Melia and Natasha Cuddington worked with `Rise` artist, Wolfgang Buttress, to capture ideas prompted by this new piece of sculpture through verse and poetic imagery.
A packed programme of activities will run throughout the next two weeks to mark Belfast City Hall`s reopening, culminating in Belfast City Council`s traditional Halloween celebrations.
Said Lord Mayor, Councillor Naomi Long:
“Our programme of public celebrations is in keeping with the ethos of `a City Hall for All`, encouraging everyone to feel and enjoy ownership of this magnificent building.”
Tickets for the events, many of which are free, can be booked through Belfast Welcome Centre in Donegall Place - tel 028 9024 6609. More information can be found at www.belfastcity.gov.uk/yourcityhall
ENDS
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