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SUMMARY:Launch of the Eighth Irish Arts and Human Rights Festival 2026
DESCRIPTION:Human Rights Open Mic Night – An evening of live poetry and music on themes of human rights\, social justice and solidarity\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPresented by Front Line Defenders\, this open mic night celebrates poetry\, music\, solidarity\, human rights and social justice.  \n\n\nBook Your Place\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nArtists\n\n\n\nBarry Ward\, TD\, Dunlaoghaire-Rathdown \n\n\n\nRichard Boyd Barrett\, TD\, Dunlaoghaire-Rathdown \n\n\n\nMary Moynihan\, Writer\, Poet and Creator of Art and Photography; Artistic Director\, Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality; Arts Curator\, Irish Arts and Human Rights Festival. Role on the night: Artist Talk and Poetry Reading \n\n\n\nAlan Glasgow\, CEO\, Front Line Defenders. Role on the Night: Guest Speaker \n\n\n\nHina Khan\, Visual Artist and Artist from Voices of Peace. Role on the Night: Guest Speaker \n\n\n\nCiara Hayes\, Producer\, Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality. Role on the night: Performance of a monologue from Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory by Mary Moynihan \n\n\n\nBrendan Heade\, actor. Role on the Night: Guest Performer \n\n\n\nAndy Johnson\, actor. Role on the Night: Guest Performer \n\n\n\nÉanna Ó Brádagh.  Role on the night: MC \n\n\n\nFull Event Details\n\n\n\nSmashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality\, Front Line Defenders and a range of partners are delighted to invite you to the opening reception and launch of the eight annual International Irish Arts and Human Rights Festival on Friday 9 October\, 7 to 9pm\, at 30 Sandycove Road\, Dublin A96V9P1. \n\n\n\nThe Irish annual international Arts and Human Rights festival is launched by key note speaker Barry Ward\, Teachta Dála (TD) for Dún Laoghaire. Our full line-up of guest speakers on the night are Alan Glasgow\, CEO\, Front Line Defenders; Hina Khan\, visual artist and Mary Moynihan\, writer\, poet\,  creator of art and photography\, and Artistic Director\, Smashing Times. Mary will do an artist talk and poetry reading. Enjoy a live performance of a monologue from Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Part II by Mary Moynihan\, performed by Ciara Hayes\, directed by Dr Eric Weitz; and live monologue performances by artists Brendan Heade and Andy Johnson\, in association with WALK\, supporting people with intellectual disabilities. \n\n\n\nIn addition to launching the annual international Irish Arts and Human Rights festival\, we are launching Voices of Peace\, a multidisciplinary exhibition supported by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council through the dlr Universal Grant Scheme\, reflecting on peace and human rights.  The launch culminates in refreshments and chat. \n\n\n\nThe annual international Irish Arts and Human Rights festival is presented by Smashing Times and Front Line Defenders\, and a range of partners\, from 9 to 18 October 2026\, with a range of events promoting equality\, human rights and diversity through the arts\, across Ireland and online. The festival showcases the extraordinary work of human rights defenders in Ireland and around the world\, past and present\, and the role of the arts and artists in promoting human rights today.   \n\n\n\nMemorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Live Performance \n\n\n\nThe evening features a live monologue performance from Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Part II by Mary Moynihan\, presented by Smashing times International Centre for the Arts and Equality and Front Line Defenders\, performed by Ciara Hayes\, directed by Dr Eric Weitz.  Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Parts I and II were commissioned by Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality and Frontline Defenders\, and written by Mary Moynihan. The full play is adapted from the words of nine brave and inspirational human rights defenders from around the world who were murdered because of their peaceful work defending the rights of others.   \n\n\n\nMonologue Performances \n\n\n\nBrendan Heade and Andy Johnson will each perform a monologue that encapsulates the spirit of the Irish Arts and Human Rights Festival. \n\n\n\nBrendan Heade will be performing a powerful piece from Scent of a Woman\, originally performed by Al Pacino\, exploring the theme of Justice. The scene highlights the importance of standing up for what is right\, finding your voice\, and having the courage to speak out when faced with injustice. Through this performance\, Brendan brings his passion for acting to life while exploring the powerful themes of integrity\, equality and justice. \n\n\n\nAndy Johnson is a Dublin-based actor with a passion for acting and performing. He has experience working in television\, including multiple appearances on RTÉ’s Fair City and an appearance in Witness No. 3 for Story Films and Channel 5. He has also taken part in television productions including Name That Tune\, Beat Shazam and Don’t Forget the Lyrics!. Andy started his acting training at Liberties College\, where he completed a Drama Foundation course. He then continued his training at the Gaiety School of Acting\, completing three Acting for Camera courses. In 2026\, he also completed Noel Brady’s Intensive Acting Showreel Course with Phoenix Artz Media. Andy has a strong interest in accents and voice work. His accents include Ulster English\, Cockney\, Scouse\, Scottish\, Spanish-accented English\, Modern California\, New York and Southern American. He also speaks Spanish. Andy is passionate about continuing to develop his acting skills and gaining more experience in film and television. His dream is to build a professional acting career\, work in film and television\, and inspire others to follow their own dreams and believe in what they can achieve. \n\n\n\nVoices of Peace Multidisciplinary Exhibition \n\n\n\nAudiences have the opportunity to view the Voices of Peace multidisciplinary exhibition featuring visual art\, photography\, poetry\, film and storytelling\, and reflecting on peace and human rights.  A series of powerful artworks are on display\, created in response to the theme of peace and human rights. The commissioned artists are Jessica Rodrigues\, Visual Artist; Gillian Lambe\, Visual Artist; Hina Khan\, Visual Artist\, Féilim James\, writer; Viktoriia Yevsiukova\, Visual Artist; and Mary Moynihan\, writer\, poet and creator of art and photography. The exhibition is presented as part of the Smashing Times Artist Development Programme and runs at the Smashing Times Visual Art Gallery\, 30 Sandycove Road\, Dublin A96V9P1\, from Wednesday 23 September to Sunday 29 November 2026\, Wednesday to Sunday 1-6pm daily. This exhibition is co-funded by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council through the dlr Universal Grant Scheme. \n\n\n\nKeynote Speaker: Barry Ward\, Teachta Dála (TD) for Dún Laoghaire. Fine Gael. \n\n\n\nBarry was elected as a member of Dáil Éireann in November 2024. Prior to that\, Barry served as a Senator\, and was Seanad spokesperson on Justice. A practicing barrister\, Barry is originally from Deansgrange. He was first elected to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council in 2009\, representing the Blackrock Ward\, which also includes Booterstown\, Deansgrange\, Foxrock\, Monkstown and Stillorgan. Barry also served as Leader of the Fine Gael group on the Council. In 2020\, he was elected to the Industrial and Commercial Panel of the Seanad\, having stood in that year’s general election in the Dún Laoghaire constituency. \n\n\n\nOn the Council\, Barry worked tirelessly on various local issues including parks\, recycling\, public transport and cycling infrastructure\, climate action\, coastal issues and supporting local businesses. In the Seanad\, he has championed criminal justice reform\, and has a particular interest in education\, foreign affairs\, the environment and promoting the Irish language – ár dteanga náisiúnta. \n\n\n\nA sailor\, Barry has been vocal in his support for the Irish Coast Guard and the RNLI\, and speaks frequently about water safety and the need for the improvement of water quality in Dublin Bay. He is a member of the Oireachtas committees on Justice\, An Ghaeilge\, and Members’ Interests\, and is also an Irish Co-Chair of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC). \n\n\n\nBarry has fought hard for gender and marriage equality and is a strong advocate for change. He is a leading voice in local campaigns\, such as the Sutton to Sandycove (S2S) Coastal Promenade and locating a new permanent home for Gaelscoil Laighean in Blackrock as well as providing strong contributions to discussions on ongoing international events in occupied Palestine\, Taiwan\, Hong Kong and Belarus\, even adopting a Belarusian political prisoner. \n\n\n\nIn his spare time\, Barry enjoys walks with his cocker spaniel\, Ruby\, on Dún Laoghaire Pier\, on Killiney Hill and in Cabinteely Park. He speaks Irish and French\, and hosts the Irish Legislation Podcast. \n\n\n\nOn the Council\, Barry worked tirelessly on various local issues including parks\, recycling\, public transport and cycling infrastructure\, climate action\, coastal issues and supporting local businesses. In the Seanad\, he has championed criminal justice reform\, and has a particular interest in education\, foreign affairs\, the environment and promoting the Irish language – ár dteanga náisiúnta. \n\n\n\nGuest Speaker: Richard Boyd Barrett\, TD\, Dún Laoghaire \n\n\n\nRichard Boyd Barrett (born 6 February 1967) is an Irish People Before Profit–Solidarity politician who has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Dún Laoghaire constituency since the 2011 general election. Boyd Barrett was previously a member of Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council. He is also chair of the Irish Anti-War Movement\, and has been cited on war issues in the Irish media. \n\n\n\nPartner Organisations for Launch \n\n\n\nWALK is a unique association supporting people with intellectual disabilities and / or autism to discover their career and employment ambitions in life. WALK supports people with intellectual disabilities to have the right to work on an equal basis with others\, the right to live independently and be included in the community\, the right to an education and the right to take part on an equal basis with others in the cultural life of a community. \n\n\n\nFront Line Defenders (FLD) is an international human rights organisation founded in Dublin in 2001\, with the specific aim of protecting human rights defenders at risk (HRDs). FLD works to improve the security and protection of human rights defenders and organisations around the world at risk for their peaceful and legitimate human rights work. As identified by human rights defenders themselves\, FLD responds to protection and security needs by providing support through grants\, capacity building\, visibility\, networking\, and advocacy\, at the international\, regional and local levels. Front Line Defenders has been awarded the 2018 United Nations Human Rights Prize. Front Line Defenders maintains its headquarters in Dublin\, an EU Office in Brussels\, and regionally-based field staff in the Americas\, Asia\, Africa\, Europe & Central Asia\, and the Middle East. \n\n\n\nCongratulations to the 2026 Front Line Defenders Annual Award Winners \n\n\n\nOn behalf of the Irish Arts and Human Rights festival\, Smashing Times pay tribute to the Human Rights Defenders to be honoured in 2026 at the Front Line Defenders Annual Award for Human Rights Defenders at Risk.  Each year Front Line Defenders announces the five winners of its top distinction\, the Front Line Defenders Annual Award for Human Rights Defenders at Risk. The award was established in 2005 to honour the work of human rights defenders (HRDs) who are courageously making outstanding contributions to the promotion and protection of the human rights of others\, often at great personal risk to themselves. \n\n\n\nThe Award focuses international attention on the work and struggles of HRDs\, providing a greater national and international platform to speak about and advocate for the human rights issues they are defending.  \n\n\n\nLaureates are selected from among scores of candidates who are put forward in a secure\, public nomination process carried out towards the end of each year and Award winners are announced on the day of the Award Ceremony in Dublin the following year. Laureates receive a modest financial prize\, a protection grant  and support from Front Line Defenders teams on digital and physical security\, advocacy\, visibility\, well-being and more. More information here \n\n\n\n“These laureates are rays of light in some very dark situations of repression\, discrimination and detention. Their steadfast commitment to human rights provides the solutions we need to bring humanity back from the brink\, and to create a better\, more just world. Governments must begin to see human rights defenders\, not as a threat to their grasp on power\, but as positive changemakers who can improve societies and defend the human rights of their citizens.” Alan Glasgow\, Executive Director\, 2024\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nSpeaker Biographies:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBarry was elected as a member of Dáil Éireann in November 2024. Prior to that\, Barry served as a Senator\, and was Seanad spokesperson on Justice. A practicing barrister\, Barry is originally from Deansgrange. He was first elected to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council in 2009\, representing the Blackrock Ward\, which also includes Booterstown\, Deansgrange\, Foxrock\, Monkstown and Stillorgan. Barry also served as Leader of the Fine Gael group on the Council. In 2020\, he was elected to the Industrial and Commercial Panel of the Seanad\, having stood in that year’s general election in the Dún Laoghaire constituency. \n\n\n\nOn the Council\, Barry worked tirelessly on various local issues including parks\, recycling\, public transport and cycling infrastructure\, climate action\, coastal issues and supporting local businesses. In the Seanad\, he has championed criminal justice reform\, and has a particular interest in education\, foreign affairs\, the environment and promoting the Irish language – ár dteanga náisiúnta. \n\n\n\nA sailor\, Barry has been vocal in his support for the Irish Coast Guard and the RNLI\, and speaks frequently about water safety and the need for the improvement of water quality in Dublin Bay. He is a member of the Oireachtas committees on Justice\, An Ghaeilge\, and Members’ Interests\, and is also an Irish Co-Chair of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC). \n\n\n\nBarry has fought hard for gender and marriage equality and is a strong advocate for change. He is a leading voice in local campaigns\, such as the Sutton to Sandycove (S2S) Coastal Promenade and locating a new permanent home for Gaelscoil Laighean in Blackrock as well as providing strong contributions to discussions on ongoing international events in occupied Palestine\, Taiwan\, Hong Kong and Belarus\, even adopting a Belarusian political prisoner. \n\n\n\nIn his spare time\, Barry enjoys walks with his cocker spaniel\, Ruby\, on Dún Laoghaire Pier\, on Killiney Hill and in Cabinteely Park. He speaks Irish and French\, and hosts the Irish Legislation Podcast. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRichard Boyd Barrett (born 6 February 1967) is an Irish People Before Profit–Solidarity politician who has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Dún Laoghaire constituency since the 2011 general election. Boyd Barrett was previously a member of Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council. He is also chair of the Irish Anti-War Movement\, and has been cited on war issues in the Irish media. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAlan Glasgow has worked for 25 years in development\, humanitarian\, and human rights contexts. He joined as CEO of Front Line Defenders in May 2024\, from the position of Regional Director for Asia and Europe with the Washington based Aid Agency\, Mercy Corps. Prior to this he served as Mercy Corps’ European Migration Director. \n\n\n\nAlan has also worked with the International Rescue Committee in New York and as Country Director in Sierra Leone\, and with GOAL as Country Director in Kenya\, South Sudan and Sudan\, and Director of Global Business Development. \n\n\n\nAlan’s leadership experience has focused on work at the frontlines of the world’s most challenging human rights environments\, including Afghanistan\, Gaza\, Liberia\, Myanmar\, Sierra Leone\, South Sudan\, Sudan\, Syria\, Ukraine and Yemen. His career has demonstrated a profound commitment to the rights of the marginalized and his work has been underpinned by a belief in the principles of human rights. \n\n\n\nAlan holds a Master’s Degree from UCD in addition to professional training with Columbia and Harvard Universities. He lives in Dublin. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMary Moynihan\, MA\, she/her\, is an award-winning author of novels\, poetry\, films and plays\, from Dublin\, Ireland. Mary embarked upon her award-winning career as a writer in theatre and film and has garnered much acclaim for her plays\, poetry and short film scripts\, and for creating interdisciplinary artworks combining writing and photography presented in galleries and online. She established and became Artistic Director of Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality and is Artistic Curator for the annual Dublin Arts and Human Rights festival. Mary has an honours BA in Drama and Theatre Studies from Trinity College Dublin and an honours Masters in Film Production from TU Dublin. \n\n\n\nAfter raising four children\, now  adults\, Mary dedicated her time to becoming a writer. She writes fiction for young people and adults featuring stories of courage\, laughter\, tragedy\, happiness\, love\, death and action-packed adventures. Mary pens a series of articles titled Creative Reflections on Arts\, Creativity\, Leadership and Self-Esteem which appear in the Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality newsletter and on Mary’s website marymoynihan.ie \n\n\n\nIn her free time Mary loves to spend time with her four adult children and hang out with friends.  She swims in the sea all year round. She loves the ocean\, sky and moon and has a spiritual connection to the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea\, to the environs of Dublin bay and to the mystical landscapes of Valentia Island and the surrounding Iveragh peninsula in County Kerry\, her spiritual home. She is a big fan of the Dublin Gaelic football and hurling teams. \n\n\n\nSmashing Times \n\n\n\nMary is Artistic Director of Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality working collaboratively with artists and over fifty organisations across Ireland\, Northern Ireland\, Europe and internationally\, using the arts to promote rights and values for all. Company patrons are Sabina Higgins; Joan Freeman\, founder of Pieta House; Ger Ryan\, actor and Tim Pat Coogan\, writer and historian. Founding patrons were writers Maeve Binchy and Brian Friel. \n\n\n\nArts and Human Rights Festival \n\n\n\nMary is Artistic Curator for the annual\, international Dublin Arts and Human Rights festival implemented by Smashing Times and Front Line Defenders with Amnesty International\, Fighting Words\, ICCL\, NWCI\, Irish Modern Dance Theatre\, Trócaire\, Poetry Ireland and Irish Pen\, and funded by The Arts Council. The festival highlights the extraordinary work of human rights defenders in Ireland and around the world\, past and present\, and the role of the arts and artists in promoting human rights today. \n\n\n\nAwards \n\n\n\nMary’s work has won a number of awards\, including the Allianz Business to Arts Special Judges DAA Arts Award at Bord Gáis Energy Theatre\, the international and prestigious #ArtsAgainstCovid award from the Arts in Health International Foundation and an Arts Council Agility Award. Mary was awarded a Project Award from The Arts Council to write a new work with a range of collaborators titled The Feeling Soul\, inspired by stories of women poets from ancient and modern Ireland.    \n\n\n\nMary is the author of the epic spoken word poem  ‘Ode to a Coolock Queen’’\, written from a female perspective and exploring identity\, gender\, violence\, passion\, self-destruction and possible redemption. An attempt as Sylvia Plath says  ‘to be true to my own weirdnesses’. It is an oral storytelling narrative that is about a broader reflection on what it is to be born out of a working class environment.  This poem is in homage to all people from working-class communities who find their strength and become their own kings and queens like warriors from an ancient past. \n\n\n\nAs a playwright\, Mary’s work includes the highly acclaimed The Woman is Present: Women’s Stories of WWII co-written with Paul Kennedy\, Fiona Thompson and Féilim James;  Tales of Love and Loss featuring two monologues selected by President Michael D Higgins for performance at Áras an Uachtaráin\, Constance and Her Friends and Grace and Joe for performance in 2023; In One Breath from the award-winning Testimonies(co-written with Paul Kennedy); Shadow of My Soul and May Our Faces Haunt You. \n\n\n\nMary’s film work includes the hour-long documentary Stories From the Shadows (co-directed with Mark Quinn); the short film Tell Them Our Names\,  (directed by Mary\, co-written with Paul Kennedy) inspired by women’s stories of WWII and selected for the London Eye International Film Festival and Kerry Film Festival; the creative documentary Women in an Equal Europe; the short film Courageous Women\, inspired by powerful women’s stories from the 1916 to 1923 decade of commemorations period in Irish history; In Time\, a poem-film created in response to the changing landscape of our world today in a time of pandemic (written by Mary Moynihan\, co-directed with Mark Quinn); and The Shoah: A Survivor’s Memory – The World’s Legacy\, adapted from the writings of French woman Simone Veil (1927-2017)\, a French lawyer\, politician and feminist\, Holocaust survivor and first female President of the European Parliament. \n\n\n\nMary has a focus on using historical memory in her artistic practice as inspiration for the creation of original artworks. A number of her writings highlight stories of ordinary yet extraordinary women who stood up for the rights of others with a focus on the Holocaust\, WWII and the revolutionary period in Irish history. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBrendan Heade will be performing a powerful piece from Scent of a Woman\, originally performed by Al Pacino\, exploring the theme of Justice. The scene highlights the importance of standing up for what is right\, finding your voice\, and having the courage to speak out when faced with injustice. Through this performance\, Brendan brings his passion for acting to life while exploring the powerful themes of integrity\, equality and justice. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAndy Johnson is a Dublin-based actor with a passion for acting and performing. He has experience working in television\, including multiple appearances on RTÉ’s Fair City and an appearance in Witness No. 3 for Story Films and Channel 5. He has also taken part in television productions including Name That Tune\, Beat Shazam and Don’t Forget the Lyrics!. Andy started his acting training at Liberties College\, where he completed a Drama Foundation course. He then continued his training at the Gaiety School of Acting\, completing three Acting for Camera courses. In 2026\, he also completed Noel Brady’s Intensive Acting Showreel Course with Phoenix Artz Media. Andy has a strong interest in accents and voice work. His accents include Ulster English\, Cockney\, Scouse\, Scottish\, Spanish-accented English\, Modern California\, New York and Southern American. He also speaks Spanish. Andy is passionate about continuing to develop his acting skills and gaining more experience in film and television. His dream is to build a professional acting career\, work in film and television\, and inspire others to follow their own dreams and believe in what they can achieve. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBorn in Montpellier\, France\, to a Belgian father and an English mother\, Sebastien Luthers’ family moved to Leitrim when he was six years old. He started learning the whistle at around age six or seven and later progressed to the fiddle\, with Michael Clancy in Leitrim\, the man known as ‘the man of a thousand reels’.From those beginnings\, Sebastien’s love of music has blossomed. He currently teaches French and English in Wilson’s Hospital School as well as promoting extra-curricular music participation for students\, and is founder of Franco-Hibernian folk group CAS.Sebastien’s album\, The Lost Violin\, is a collection of tunes he wrote over the last 20 years inspired by the landscape of Leitrim and the Auvergne volcanic peaks\, where he lived and toured with a Celtic rock band Oubert . The name of the album relates to a custom-made instrument by renowned fiddle maker and All-Ireland champion Jim McKillop. It was stolen from Sebastien in Barcelona in 2013\, and serendipitously found and returned to him over 10 years later.The Lost Violin is for sale on Bandcamp and selected outlets\, along with his band CAS’ debut album\, Tonnta na Maidine\, which was released on tour in the UK\, Ireland and France during summer 2026. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCiara Hayes is a graduate of University College Cork with an MA in Arts Management and Creative Producing. She also holds a teaching diploma from the London College of Music in Drama and Communication\, and a BA Joint Hons in Drama and Theatre Studies with German. She has a background in theatre and worked for several years as a drama teacher\, later becoming a teacher of social skills for children on the autism spectrum.  \n\n\n\nSince completing her Masters in 2020\, Ciara has worked as a producer and festival administrator for Half Moon Festival (Cork\, 2020) and festival producer for Dublin Arts and Human Rights Festival (Dublin\, 2020 – present). She works at Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality as the festival producer\, and also works at UCC as a part-time lecturer on the MA Arts Management & Cultural Producing. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nOrganisations Involved / Partner Organisation(s):\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nVenue Information:
URL:https://smashingtimes.ie/event/launch-of-the-eighth-irish-arts-and-human-rights-festival-2026/
LOCATION:Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality\, 30 Sandycove Road\, Sandycove\, Dublin\, A96V9P1\, 30 Sandycove Road\, Sandycove\, Dublin\, A96V9P1
CATEGORIES:Launch,Performance
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://smashingtimes.ie/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IARHFestival-launch.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20261010T090000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20261010T140000
DTSTAMP:20260925T145007Z
CREATED:20260831T150328Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260925T145007Z
UID:10000717-1791622800-1791640800@smashingtimes.ie
SUMMARY:The Weight of Return – Multidisciplinary Art Piece featuring Installation and Live Monologue Performance
DESCRIPTION:Human Rights Open Mic Night – An evening of live poetry and music on themes of human rights\, social justice and solidarity\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPresented by Front Line Defenders\, this open mic night celebrates poetry\, music\, solidarity\, human rights and social justice.  \n\n\nThe work commemorates approximately 120\,000 internally displaced people in the highlands of West Papua and uses art to explore displacement\, conflict\, cultural identity and the struggle to return home. Presented by Costan Fakrian Raharusun\, Artist and Teacher and Samuel Yohanes Glenn\, Artist and Cultural Craftsman. \n\n\n\nBook Your Place\n\n\n\nAdmission free\, no booking necessary \n\n\n\nArtists\n\n\n\nCostan Fakrian Raharusun\, Artist and Teacher \n\n\n\nSamuel Yohanes Glenn\, Artist \n\n\n\nFull Event Details\n\n\n\nPeace Bridges International and Udeido Collective present this multidisciplinary art piece featuring an installation and live monologue performance as part of the Irish Arts and Human Rights Festival. The installation and monologue commemorate the 120\,000 internally displaced people in the highlands of West Papua. They have been displaced due to the ongoing conflict between the independence movement and Indonesian government. The government does not allow humanitarian aid into the region and has refused to engage in peace talks. These international displace people have no clean water\, no food\, no shelter\, no healthcare\, no education and many have died while waiting to return home. \n\n\n\nThe installation is freely available to view on Saturday 10 October 2026\, from 9am-2pm\, with the live monologue performance taking place at 12pm. \n\n\n\nThis event is presented by Peace Bridges International and the Udeido Collective \n\n\n\nUdeido Collective was founded in Yogyakarta in 2018 as a platform for young artists from across Papua to initiate an artistic movement in their homeland. Udeido Collective’s works visually articulate the situation of the West Papuan people. Their practice touches on the use of conceptual elements from socio-cultural construction that exist in their own society. Reconstruction of these elements is placed as a method for analysing and discussing social issues within society caused by prolonged social-political conflict.  Udeido takes its name from the ude leaf\, which is used on the island to treat wounds\, and aims to heal and reconstruct the collective memory of the Papuan people. \n\n\n\nHuman rights defenders are at the heart of all we do at Peace Bridges International.  We provide protection\, support and recognition to local human rights defenders who work in areas of repression and conflict and have requested our support.  We believe that lasting transformation of conflicts cannot come from outside\, but must be based on the capacity and desires of local people. We avoid imposing\, interfering or getting directly involved in the work of the people we accompany. Our work is effective because we take an integrated approach\, combining a presence alongside human rights defenders on the ground with an extensive network of international support. \n\n\n\nFounded in 1981\, PBI has many years of experience working alongside human rights defenders\, opening and protecting space for peace\, conflict transformation and the defence of human rights in 14 countries. We are a life-saving international presence in areas of conflict and repression\, and a powerful global advocacy network protecting those on the ground. We have worked in Nicaragua\, El Salvador\, Sri Lanka\, North America\, Haiti\, Nepal and the Balkans as well as our current field projects in Colombia\, Guatemala\, Honduras\, Indonesia\, Kenya\, Mexico and Nepal. \n\n\n\nSpeaker Biographies:\n\n\n\n\n\nCostan Fakrian Raharusun is an artist and teacher\, working a lot with painting\, sculpture\, installations and also theatrical production. He is also an art teacher who challenges the national education system by stressing the importance of indigenous knowledge. To support the preservation of West Papuan art and culture\, he is introducing Mambesak\, Black Brothers\, senior West Papuan artists\, etc in his teaching curriculum. Through his art\, he depicts the current situation experienced by West Papuan’s\, from present injustice to preservation of culture and identity. He is part of the West Papuan art collective\, Udeido Collective and one of the founders of Labirin Art\, an art collective in Fakfak. \n\n\n\nSamuel Yohanes Glenn is active in refining and revisiting the “sounds of Papua” that breathes life into his work. ‘Amidst the wave of modernization\, I have taken on a crucial role as a craftsman and preserver of Papuan cultural artifacts—objects that might be fading from the interest of my generation\, but find their soul once again in my hands. I am not merely making art; I am preserving memories and keeping the spirit of Papua alive\, even when I am far from home.’ \n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nOrganisations Involved / Partner Organisation(s):\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nVenue Information:
URL:https://smashingtimes.ie/event/the-weight-of-return/
LOCATION:Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality\, 30 Sandycove Road\, Sandycove\, Dublin\, A96V9P1\, 30 Sandycove Road\, Sandycove\, Dublin\, A96V9P1
CATEGORIES:Installation,Multidisciplinary,Performance
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://smashingtimes.ie/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/IDP-1-jenny-duncan.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20261010T150000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20261010T160000
DTSTAMP:20260925T145241Z
CREATED:20260914T103825Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260925T145241Z
UID:10000722-1791644400-1791648000@smashingtimes.ie
SUMMARY:Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory by Mary Moynihan – Live Performances
DESCRIPTION:Human Rights Open Mic Night – An evening of live poetry and music on themes of human rights\, social justice and solidarity\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPresented by Front Line Defenders\, this open mic night celebrates poetry\, music\, solidarity\, human rights and social justice.  \n\n\nSharing the story of  Teresa Magueyal (1958 – 2023)\, a woman searcher of disappeared people and a human rights defender from Mexico\, accompanied by poetry and music. Followed by a talk on  stories of peaceful human rights defenders and the promotion of equality and human rights. Presented by Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality and Front Line Defenders. \n\n\n\nBook Your Place\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nArtists\n\n\n\nMary Moynihan\, writer\, poet\, creator of art and photography.  Artistic Director\, Smashing Times International Centre for Arts and Equality\, Artistic Curator\, Dublin International Arts and Human Rights festival. Writer of Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Parts 1 and II \n\n\n\nLaura O’Leary\, International Events and Promotions Coordinator\, developer and coordinator of Memorial Monologues for Front Line Defenders\, Human Rights Curator\, Irish Arts and Human Rights festival \n\n\n\nConor Fortune\, Head of Communications and Events\, Front Line Defenders \n\n\n\nCiara Hayes\, Producer and Performer\, Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality \n\n\n\nSebastien Luthers\, musician \n\n\n\nÉanna Ó Brádaigh\, Production Stage Manager and MC \n\n\n\nDr Eric Weitz\, Director \n\n\n\nFull Event Details\n\n\n\nMemorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Parts I and II by Mary Moynihan were commissioned by Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality and Frontline Defenders and feature a series of powerful monologues adapted from the words and stories of brave and inspirational human rights defenders from around the world who were murdered because of their peaceful work defending the rights of others.  Each year since 2024\, Smashing Times and Front Line Defenders have presented a variation of the show at the physical Memorial to Human Rights Defenders in the Iveagh Gardens\, Dublin\, designed by Grafton Architects. \n\n\n\nOur presentation for 2026 feature a live monologue performance from Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Part II by Mary Moynihan\, presented by Smashing times International Centre for the Arts and Equality and Front Line Defenders\, performed by Ciara Hayes\, and  directed by Dr Eric Weitz.   \n\n\n\nThe monologue to be performed tells the story of  Teresa Magueyal (1958 – 2023)\, a woman searcher of disappeared people and a human rights defender from Mexico\, accompanied by poetry readings and a workshop talk on stories of peaceful human rights defenders\, encouraging discussion on active citizenship\, social inclusion\, and equality. The sessions empower participants to consider how they can make positive social change and build connections across Dublin. \n\n\n\nThis unique event is presented for two performances only. The first is a live indoor performance  on Friday 9 October 2026\, 7pm\, at the Smashing Times Arts and Human Rights Centre\, 30 Sandycove Road\, Dublin\, for the launch of the annual international Irish Arts and Human Rights festival.  The second performance and talk takes place on Saturday 10 October\, 3pm\, outdoors at the Iveagh Gardens Dublin\, weather permitting. \n\n\n\nThe show was commissioned by Smashing Times and Front Line Defenders and scripted by Mary Moynihan to pay tribute to the many brave and inspirational human rights defenders around the world who have been silence and killed because of their peaceful work defending the rights of others.  \n\n\n\nIveagh Gardens are located on Clonmel Street\, off Harcourt Street in Dublin 2. Access is by Clonmel Street\, Hatch Street\, and to the rear of the National Concert Hall on Earlsfort Terrace. Please note that there is no wheelchair access through the Concert Hall gate entrance.  Iveagh Gardens was awarded a Green Flag 2022-2023 which is an international bench marking standard for parks and green spaces. Come and join us as we pay tribute to the many brave and inspirational human rights defenders around the world who have been silence and killed because of their peaceful work defending the rights of others.  \n\n\n\nHistory of Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Parts I and II  \n\n\n\nMemorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Parts I and II by Mary Moynihan were originally commissioned by Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality and Frontline Defenders in 2023 for the annual international Irish Arts and Human Rights festival.  The script features a series of nine powerful monologues adapted from the words and stories of nine brave and inspirational human rights defenders from around the world who were murdered because of their peaceful work defending the rights of others.   \n\n\n\nThe full script features monologues on each on the following human rights defenders: \n\n\n\nPart I \n\n\n\n\nLasantha Wickramatunga\, journalist\, Sri Lanka\n\n\n\nNatalya Estemirova\, journalist and human rights defender\, Chechnya\n\n\n\nRaed Fares\, journalist and activist\, Syria\n\n\n\nBety Cariño\, activist and women’s rights defender\, Mexico\n\n\n\n\nPart II \n\n\n\n\nFannyAnn Eddy (1974-2004)\, LGBTIQ+ activist\, Sierra Leone\n\n\n\nDaphne Caruana\, (1964-2017)\, journalist\, columnist and blogger\, Malta\n\n\n\nRosemary Nelson\, (1958-1999)\, human rights lawyer\, Northern Ireland\n\n\n\nMarielle Franco (1979-2018)\, human rights activist and elected council woman\, Brazil\n\n\n\nTeresa Magueyal (1958 – 2023)\, woman searcher of disappeared people and a human rights defender\, Mexico\n\n\n\n\nSix of these defenders — Natalya Estemirova\, Chechnya; Lasantha Wickramatunga\, Sri Lanka\, Raed Fares\, Syria\, Daphne Caruana Galizia\, Malta\, Rosemary Nelson\, Northern Ireland and Marielle Franco\, Brazil — are  remembered on plaques in the physical Memorial to Human Rights Defenders in the Iveagh Gardens\, Dublin\, designed by Grafton Architects. The memorial is an Ogham garden\, with five standing stones etched with ancient Irish Ogham script\, each representing a native Irish tree. The space is enclosed by a crafted metal screen\, on which are plaques\, bearing the words of the human rights defenders. The physical memorial provides a contemplative space to commemorate those silenced for their courage. The memorial was launched by Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney\, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders Mary Lawlor and former Front Line Defenders Executive Director Andrew Anderson. \n\n\n\nThe Iveagh Gardens memorial connects directly to the International Human Rights Defenders Memorial (hrdmemorial.org)\, initiated by Ireland-based Front Line Defenders\, which documents over 300 killings of human rights defenders worldwide every year — preserving truth and striving for justice. These  killings are bravely documented year after year by organisations across the world to preserve the truth and one day\, achieve justice. https://hrdmemorial.org/ \n\n\n\nHuman Rights Defenders listed at the Memorial Monument in Iveagh Gardens are: \n\n\n\nCao Shunli \n\n\n\nNatalya Estemirova \n\n\n\nAnna Politkovskaya \n\n\n\nMarielle Franco \n\n\n\nBety Cariňo \n\n\n\nRosemary Nelson \n\n\n\nBerta Caceres \n\n\n\nRazan al-Najjar \n\n\n\nXulhaz Mannan \n\n\n\nRaed Fares \n\n\n\nLasantha Wickrematunga \n\n\n\nPascal Kabungulu \n\n\n\nAbdul Karim Al-Khaiwani \n\n\n\nDaphne Caruana \n\n\n\nMemorial Monologues: The Path of Memory Part I was commissioned and premiered at the fifth annual Irish Arts and Human Rights Festival in 2023 and was performed again in 2024. Part I featured four monologues: Lasantha Wickramatunga\, journalist\, Sri Lanka; Natalya Estemirova\, journalist and human rights defender\, Chechnya; Raed Fares\, journalist and activist\, Syria and Bety Cariño\, activist and women’s rights defender\, Mexico.   Part I was performed at the Iveagh Gardens Dublin on 19\, 20\, 21\, 22 October 2023\, and 18\, 19\, 20 October 2024\, 1pm daily. \n\n\n\nPart II tells the stories of FannyAnn Eddy (1974-2004)\, LGBTIQ+ activist\, Sierra Leone; Daphne Caruana\, (1964-2017)\, journalist\, columnist and blogger\, Malta; Rosemary Nelson\, (1958-1999)\, human rights lawyer\, Northern Ireland; Marielle Franco (1979-2018)\, human rights activist and elected council woman\, Brazil; and Teresa Magueyal (1958 – 2023)\, woman searcher of disappeared people and a human rights defender\, Mexico. Part II was performed at the Iveagh Gardens Dublin on 10\, 11 and 12 October 2025\, 1 and 3pm daily. \n\n\n\nThe show is scripted to be presented either indoors or outdoors. As an outdoor show\, it is presented as a promenade\, ‘walk-in-the-park’ performance blending theatre\, poetry\, and song. This unique show brings audiences through the Iveagh Gardens (Dublin’s secret garden\, located close to St Stephen’s Green) to the Human Rights Defenders Memorial monument. The memorial provides a physical space in the heart of Dublin city to recognise and commemorate the lives of the many brave and inspirational human rights defenders around the world who have been killed because of their peaceful work defending the rights of others. Leading audiences through Dublin’s hidden garden\, the performance creates a moving encounter with memory\, loss\, resilience\, and the unbreakable spirit of those who stood for justice. \n\n\n\nThe show was commissioned by Smashing Times and Front Line Defenders and scripted by Mary Moynihan to pay tribute to the many brave and inspirational human rights defenders around the world who have been silence and killed because of their peaceful work defending the rights of others.  \n\n\n\nSpeaker Biographies:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMary Moynihan\, MA\, she/her\, is an award-winning author of novels\, poetry\, films and plays\, from Dublin\, Ireland. Mary embarked upon her award-winning career as a writer in theatre and film and has garnered much acclaim for her plays\, poetry and short film scripts\, and for creating interdisciplinary artworks combining writing and photography presented in galleries and online. She established and became Artistic Director of Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality and is Artistic Curator for the annual Dublin Arts and Human Rights festival. Mary has an honours BA in Drama and Theatre Studies from Trinity College Dublin and an honours Masters in Film Production from TU Dublin. \n\n\n\nAfter raising four children\, now  adults\, Mary dedicated her time to becoming a writer. She writes fiction for young people and adults featuring stories of courage\, laughter\, tragedy\, happiness\, love\, death and action-packed adventures. Mary pens a series of articles titled Creative Reflections on Arts\, Creativity\, Leadership and Self-Esteem which appear in the Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality newsletter and on Mary’s website marymoynihan.ie \n\n\n\nIn her free time Mary loves to spend time with her four adult children and hang out with friends.  She swims in the sea all year round. She loves the ocean\, sky and moon and has a spiritual connection to the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea\, to the environs of Dublin bay and to the mystical landscapes of Valentia Island and the surrounding Iveragh peninsula in County Kerry\, her spiritual home. She is a big fan of the Dublin Gaelic football and hurling teams. \n\n\n\nSmashing Times \n\n\n\nMary is Artistic Director of Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality working collaboratively with artists and over fifty organisations across Ireland\, Northern Ireland\, Europe and internationally\, using the arts to promote rights and values for all. Company patrons are Sabina Higgins; Joan Freeman\, founder of Pieta House; Ger Ryan\, actor and Tim Pat Coogan\, writer and historian. Founding patrons were writers Maeve Binchy and Brian Friel. \n\n\n\nArts and Human Rights Festival \n\n\n\nMary is Artistic Curator for the annual\, international Dublin Arts and Human Rights festival implemented by Smashing Times and Front Line Defenders with Amnesty International\, Fighting Words\, ICCL\, NWCI\, Irish Modern Dance Theatre\, Trócaire\, Poetry Ireland and Irish Pen\, and funded by The Arts Council. The festival highlights the extraordinary work of human rights defenders in Ireland and around the world\, past and present\, and the role of the arts and artists in promoting human rights today. \n\n\n\nAwards \n\n\n\nMary’s work has won a number of awards\, including the Allianz Business to Arts Special Judges DAA Arts Award at Bord Gáis Energy Theatre\, the international and prestigious #ArtsAgainstCovid award from the Arts in Health International Foundation and an Arts Council Agility Award. Mary was awarded a Project Award from The Arts Council to write a new work with a range of collaborators titled The Feeling Soul\, inspired by stories of women poets from ancient and modern Ireland.    \n\n\n\nMary is the author of the epic spoken word poem  ‘Ode to a Coolock Queen’’\, written from a female perspective and exploring identity\, gender\, violence\, passion\, self-destruction and possible redemption. An attempt as Sylvia Plath says  ‘to be true to my own weirdnesses’. It is an oral storytelling narrative that is about a broader reflection on what it is to be born out of a working class environment.  This poem is in homage to all people from working-class communities who find their strength and become their own kings and queens like warriors from an ancient past. \n\n\n\nAs a playwright\, Mary’s work includes the highly acclaimed The Woman is Present: Women’s Stories of WWII co-written with Paul Kennedy\, Fiona Thompson and Féilim James;  Tales of Love and Loss featuring two monologues selected by President Michael D Higgins for performance at Áras an Uachtaráin\, Constance and Her Friends and Grace and Joe for performance in 2023; In One Breath from the award-winning Testimonies(co-written with Paul Kennedy); Shadow of My Soul and May Our Faces Haunt You. \n\n\n\nMary’s film work includes the hour-long documentary Stories From the Shadows (co-directed with Mark Quinn); the short film Tell Them Our Names\,  (directed by Mary\, co-written with Paul Kennedy) inspired by women’s stories of WWII and selected for the London Eye International Film Festival and Kerry Film Festival; the creative documentary Women in an Equal Europe; the short film Courageous Women\, inspired by powerful women’s stories from the 1916 to 1923 decade of commemorations period in Irish history; In Time\, a poem-film created in response to the changing landscape of our world today in a time of pandemic (written by Mary Moynihan\, co-directed with Mark Quinn); and The Shoah: A Survivor’s Memory – The World’s Legacy\, adapted from the writings of French woman Simone Veil (1927-2017)\, a French lawyer\, politician and feminist\, Holocaust survivor and first female President of the European Parliament. \n\n\n\nMary has a focus on using historical memory in her artistic practice as inspiration for the creation of original artworks. A number of her writings highlight stories of ordinary yet extraordinary women who stood up for the rights of others with a focus on the Holocaust\, WWII and the revolutionary period in Irish history. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nConor Fortune joined Front Line Defenders in September 2022. As Head of Communications and Events\, he oversees the organisation’s global communications strategy\, with a focus on supporting the public profiles of human rights defenders. Prior to this\, Conor spent 11 years at Amnesty International’s International Secretariat\, where he served as deputy director of crisis response and deputy head of news and media\, and he has also held communications roles at Human Rights Watch and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. A journalist by training\, he has an M.A. in international relations/peace studies\, is fluent in Spanish and speaks some French and Portuguese. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBorn in Montpellier\, France\, to a Belgian father and an English mother\, Sebastien Luthers’ family moved to Leitrim when he was six years old. He started learning the whistle at around age six or seven and later progressed to the fiddle\, with Michael Clancy in Leitrim\, the man known as ‘the man of a thousand reels’.From those beginnings\, Sebastien’s love of music has blossomed. He currently teaches French and English in Wilson’s Hospital School as well as promoting extra-curricular music participation for students\, and is founder of Franco-Hibernian folk group CAS.Sebastien’s album\, The Lost Violin\, is a collection of tunes he wrote over the last 20 years inspired by the landscape of Leitrim and the Auvergne volcanic peaks\, where he lived and toured with a Celtic rock band Oubert . The name of the album relates to a custom-made instrument by renowned fiddle maker and All-Ireland champion Jim McKillop. It was stolen from Sebastien in Barcelona in 2013\, and serendipitously found and returned to him over 10 years later.The Lost Violin is for sale on Bandcamp and selected outlets\, along with his band CAS’ debut album\, Tonnta na Maidine\, which was released on tour in the UK\, Ireland and France during summer 2026. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCiara Hayes is a graduate of University College Cork with an MA in Arts Management and Creative Producing. She also holds a teaching diploma from the London College of Music in Drama and Communication\, and a BA Joint Hons in Drama and Theatre Studies with German. She has a background in theatre and worked for several years as a drama teacher\, later becoming a teacher of social skills for children on the autism spectrum.  \n\n\n\nSince completing her Masters in 2020\, Ciara has worked as a producer and festival administrator for Half Moon Festival (Cork\, 2020) and festival producer for Dublin Arts and Human Rights Festival (Dublin\, 2020 – present). She works at Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality as the festival producer\, and also works at UCC as a part-time lecturer on the MA Arts Management & Cultural Producing. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nOrganisations Involved / Partner Organisation(s):\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nVenue Information:
URL:https://smashingtimes.ie/event/memorial-monologues-the-path-of-memory-by-mary-moynihan/
LOCATION:Iveagh Gardens\, St Stephen's Green\, Dublin 2\, D02 HX65
CATEGORIES:Performance,Poetry,Theatre
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://smashingtimes.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Memorial-Ivy-3.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20261016T190000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Dublin:20261016T230000
DTSTAMP:20260925T152619Z
CREATED:20260915T155501Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260925T152619Z
UID:10000735-1792177200-1792191600@smashingtimes.ie
SUMMARY:Human Rights Open Mic Night – An evening of live poetry and music on themes of human rights\, social justice and solidarity
DESCRIPTION:Human Rights Open Mic Night – An evening of live poetry and music on themes of human rights\, social justice and solidarity\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPresented by Front Line Defenders\, this open mic night celebrates poetry\, music\, solidarity\, human rights and social justice.  \n\n\nSpecial guest artists will perform and audience members can also sign up on the night to share their own work. \n\n\n\nBook Your Place\n\n\n\nBook here \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFull Event Details\n\n\n\nPresented by Front Line Defenders\, The Human Rights Open mic night is an evening event featuring live poetry and music related to themes of solidarity\,  human rights\, and social justice. The Human Rights Open Mic night is presented at Curveball\, Curved Street\, Temple Bar\, Dublin on Friday 16 October 2026\, 7-1pm. The evening features special guests presenting curated poetry and music for the night\, which will be announced closer to the event\, and the floor is also open for anyone who would like to sign up to perform. If you wish to perform\, you can sign up on the night. \n\n\n\nThis event is presented by Front Line Defenders \n\n\n\nFront Line Defenders (FLD) is an international human rights organisation founded in Dublin in 2001\, with the specific aim of protecting human rights defenders at risk (HRDs). FLD works to improve the security and protection of human rights defenders and organisations around the world at risk for their peaceful and legitimate human rights work. As identified by human rights defenders themselves\, FLD responds to protection and security needs by providing support through grants\, capacity building\, visibility\, networking\, and advocacy\, at the international\, regional and local levels. Front Line Defenders has been awarded the 2018 United Nations Human Rights Prize. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nOrganisations Involved / Partner Organisation(s):\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nVenue Information:
URL:https://smashingtimes.ie/event/human-rights-open-mic-night/
LOCATION:Curve Ball\, Button Factory\, Curved Street\, Temple Bar\, Dublin\, D02 RD26\, Ireland
CATEGORIES:Performance
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://smashingtimes.ie/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/OPEN-MIC2-Aisha-Hamdulay.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Front Line Defenders":MAILTO:events@frontlinedefenders.org
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR