Dublin Arts & Human Rights Festival 2022

In Solidarity: A Celebration of Human Rights

Friday 14 – Sunday 23 October 2022

“In a world where human rights continue to be under attack, Dublin Arts and Human Rights Festival sets out to celebrate the people who have stood up for them around the world and throughout history, and highlight the role artists can play in promoting a more just society.”

– Kevin Courtney, Irish Times

Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality and Front Line Defenders, and a range of partners, present the fourth annual, international Dublin Arts and Human Rights Festival from the 14 to 23 October 2022 featuring exciting and innovative events which promote equality, human rights and diversity through the arts. The aim of the festival is to showcase and highlight 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. The theme of the 2022 festival is ‘In Solidarity: A Celebration of Human Rights’, celebrating community connections and a world where all people are treated equal with dignity and respect. 

The artistic curator for the festival is Mary Moynihan, Artistic Director, Smashing Times and the human rights curator is Laura O’Leary, International Events and Promotions Coordinator, Front Line Defenders. The festival is supported by The Arts Council of Ireland and is a hybrid programme delivered over 10 days and hosts an exciting blend of over 80 events happening in-person and online, featuring Irish and and international artists and guest speakers, reaching audiences locally, nationally, and internationally. There is something for everyone interested in the arts for equality, human rights and diversity. 

The festival promotes human rights and justice for all, and the vision of a world where all people are treated equally, with dignity and respect – linking the arts to civil society, active citizenship and politics. The extraordinary work of human rights defenders in Ireland and around the world, past and present, and the role of the arts in promoting human rights will be showcased and highlighted at the festival, aiming to celebrate and unite community connections, artists, human rights organisations and human rights defenders.

Join us to illuminate stories of courage and inspiration and to share stories of ordinary people who stand up for human rights. We bear witness to, and remember the past, explore the present and celebrate the future linked to equality, human rights and diversity for all.

Partners: The Dublin Arts and Human Rights Festival is an annual, international festival organised by Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality and Front Line Defenders, a Dublin based international organisation working to improve the security and protection of human rights defenders at risk, in partnership with Amnesty International, Fighting Words, Irish Council for Civil Liberties, National Women’s Council of Ireland, Trócaire, Poetry Ireland, and Irish PEN. Creative partners include Irish Modern Dance Theatre, dlr Mill Theatre Dundrum, Art Nomads, Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin Castle, Rua Red South Dublin Arts Centre; and UNESCO Dublin City of Literature. Partners for the flagship event, the State of the Art: Transformative Memories in Political Violence exhibition, are Smashing Times, Ulster University, the Transformative Memory International Network, the Smashing Times Arts and Human Rights Network, University of British Columbia, Healing Through Remembering, Conflict Textiles, Justice and Reconciliation Project, Uganda and National Museums NI.

Supporters: The festival is supported by the Arts Council of Ireland; Erasmus+; Europe for Citizens; Foras na Gaeilge; Concern; Irish Aid WorldWise Global Schools; Reconciliation Fund, Department of Foreign Affairs; Dublin Northwest Partnership; HSE National Lottery Funding; Clár Innovation Measure, Department of Rural and Community Development; Aviva Stadium Grant; NEIC Initiative; Irish Research Council New Foundations; Rethink Ireland; Dormant Accounts Pobal Kickstart; Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Ireland; Mental Health Ireland; Creative Europe and the European Commission.

As Human Rights throughout the world continue to be under attack, the Dublin Arts and Human Rights Festival launches over 80 events throughout Ireland, happening in-person and online, celebrating the people who promote the rights of citizens from all countries and all walks of life.

 

Festival Programme 2022

Today
September 26, 2022 @ 10:00 am - October 3, 2022 @ 5:00 pm IST Event Series

State of the Art: Transformative Memories in Political Violence Multi-Media Exhibition and Installation – With MemoLabs: Performances, Workshops, Artist Talks

Event Categories:
Chocolate Factory
Multi-media exhibition and installation displaying artworks by artists from Ireland, Northern Ireland, Pakistan, Colombia, Indonesia, Uganda, Canada, Chile and Argentina exploring arts, human rights and the roles of the arts in post-conflict societies. Accompanied by MemoLabs: Performances, Workshops and Artist Talks.
October 3, 2022 @ 10:00 am - October 23, 2022 @ 6:00 pm IST Event Series

State of the Art: Transformative Memories in Political Violence Multi-Media Exhibition and Installation – With MemoLabs: Performances, Workshops, Artist Talks

Event Categories:
Chocolate Factory
Multi-media exhibition and installation displaying artworks by artists from Ireland, Northern Ireland, Pakistan, Colombia, Indonesia, Uganda, Canada, Chile and Argentina exploring arts, human rights and the roles of the arts in post-conflict societies. Accompanied by MemoLabs: Performances, Workshops and Artist Talks.
October 14, 2022 @ 10:00 am - October 23, 2022 @ 5:30 pm IST

Revolutionary Routes

Event Category:
EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum
Stories of departure, arrival and return, tracing histories from the Age of Revolutions (1790s) to the present day, encapsulating Irish diaspora histories of abolition, racism, anti-racism and solidarity.
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Performing Memories

Event Category:
Chocolate Factory
MemoLab Workshop and Panel Discussion with artists from State of the Art: Transformative Memories in Political Violence
Free
-

Remembrance

Event Categories:
Chocolate Factory
Remembrance is a MemoLab a live musical performance featuring Ugandan musician Jeff Korondo and musical performances from Hilary Bow and Lisa McLoughlin-Gnemmi; poetry from The Feeling Soul by Mary Moynihan performed by Rob Harrington and Ciara Hayes, with poetry by Áine Ni Ghlinn; and At Summer’s End by Féilim James, performed by Carla Ryan. With post-show artist talks by Mary Moynihan, Ireland, writer, theatre and filmmaker and Erika Diettes, Bogota, Colombia, a visual artist and social communicator.
Free
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The Gathering: Transforming Memory Networking Day

Event Categories:
Chocolate Factory
A MemoLab Gathering Session involving a workshop, panel discussions and networking for artists and citizens involved in the State of the Art: Transformative Memories in Political Violence Multi-Media Exhibition, bringing together artists, activists and citizens and the wider community
Free
-

Advocacy Workshop

Event Categories:
Zoom
This free advocacy workshop - delivered by former UN human rights researcher and professional singer Dónal Kearney - will explore storytelling concepts such as narrative and character and apply them to human rights advocacy while also teaching the basics of vocal technique.
October 18, 2022 @ 8:00 am - October 21, 2022 @ 5:00 pm IST

Transformative Memory International Network

Event Category:
Northern Ireland
The Transformative Memory International Network facilitates visits and workshops for international artists travelling to Northern Ireland as part of the Network
October 18, 2022 @ 1:00 pm - October 22, 2022 @ 2:30 pm IST

Gathering on the Pond – Dazzling, Creative Eco-Performance

dlr Lexicon Black Box Studio, Queen’s Road, Dun Laoghaire
Gathering on the Pond is a fun, theatrical show about biodiversity, birds and climate change with each performance followed by panel discussions on global citizenship education  and climate justice linked to human rights. Gathering on the Pond is by Aoife O’Reilly,  Mary Moynihan and Michael McCabe, based on an original scenario by Mary Moynihan. Performances on Tuesday 18, Wednesday 19, Thursday 20, Friday 21, Saturday 22 October 1-2m. Each performance is followed by a post-show discussion 2-2.30pm.
Free
-

Global Citizens Journey Workshop

Event Category:
GOAL Global
A workshop aiming to develop the critical thinking skills to explore the realities and complexities of our interconnected world and recognize the imperative for active solidarity at local and global levels
Free
-

Launch of Visual Art, Poetry and Photography exhibition as part of Transformative Memories in Political Violence at the dlr Mill Theatre Dundrum

Event Categories:
DLR Mill Theatre
Launch of State of the Art: Visual art, photography and poetry exhibition featuring the work of writer and artist Mary Moynihan and visual artist Aman Walayat responding creatively to themes of freedom, change, transformation, power and control.  The event facilitator is Ciara Hayes, Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality. The official launch is conducted by Cllr Emma Murphy, Mayor of South Dublin County Council with presentations by the artists Mary Moynihan and Amna Walayat.  The State of the Art: Visual art, photography and poetry exhibition runs at the dlr Mill Theatre, Gallery, Dundrum until Saturday 29 October 2022 and is open Tuesday to Saturday 11am-4pm.
Free
-

Smashing Times Birthday Party Open Mic

Event Categories:
Chocolate Factory
Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality invite you to take part in an open mic night for the arts and to join us in celebrating 30 years as the leading voice in arts for equality, human rights and diversity in Europe and internationally!
Free
-

Nothing Bad Has Ever Happened – Stories from Ukraine

Event Categories:
Smock Alley Theatre
Ukrainian Novelist, essayist and human rights activist Victoria Amelina will discuss the current situation for writers and artists in Ukraine, her non-fiction project: War and Justice Diary: Looking at Women Looking at War, and her own literary work.
October 20, 2022 @ 7:30 pm - October 22, 2022 @ 9:30 pm IST

Aisling na Saoirse – Dreams of Freedom

Event Categories:
County Kerry
Thurs 20, Fri 21 and Sat 22 October, 7.30pm. Three public performances and post-show discussions take place in South Kerry – in The Barracks Heritage Centre, Cahersiveen, on Thursday, 20 October 2022, 7.30pm; in St John the Baptist Church, Knightstown, Valentia Island, on  Friday 21 October 2022, 7.30pm and in  10 Bridge Street, Killorglin, on  Saturday 22 October 2022, 7.30pm.  
 
The show Aisling na Saoirse – Dreams of Freedom is presented as part of the Aisling programme in South Kerry for the annual Arts and Human Rights festival  and is made up of  Grace and Joe by Mary Moynihan performed by Carla Ryan; Tales from an Afterworld by Féilim James performed by Rob Harrington; At Summer’s End by Féilim James performed by Carla Ryan and Ná déanaimis dearmad/Let Us Not Forget by Áine Ní Ghlinn performed by Rob Harrington.
 
Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality work to promote equality, human rights and diversity through the arts.   The three shows are presented as part of a programme of artistic performances, workshops, training and talks taking place in a range of venues in South Kerry using the arts to promote equality and rights with a focus on promoting the Irish language and Irish culture and heritage.  The programme is supported by Foras na Gaeilge and the Department of Rural and Community Development.

Workshop and Training Programme
Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality work to promote equality, human rights and diversity through the arts.  The company are delighted to present a programme of artistic performances, workshops, training and talks taking place in a range of venues using the arts to promote equality and rights with a focus on promoting the Irish language and Irish culture and heritage.
 
Ionad Cill Rialaig, Ballinkelligs, County Kerry.  24 September 2022. 7-10pm
Aon Scéal, REIC Spoken Word Evening with Bean an tí, Ciara Ní É.
Artist: Hilary Bow, Singer Songwriter, Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality
Event in Irish
 
Acting for the Future Creativity and Well-Being Workshops
Presented by Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality
Coláiste na Sceilge, Cahirsiveen, County Kerry. 17 October 2022
17 October 2022. 10-11am. Transition Year Students, 25 per workshop
17 October 2022, 11-12am.  Transition Year Students, 25 per workshop
17 October 2022, 12am-1pm.  Transition Year Students, 25 per workshop
Creative Facilitator:  Eimear Burke, Counselling Psychologist
 
Acting for the Future Creativity and Well-Being Workshops
Killorglin Community College, Killorglin, County Kerry. 18 October 2022
18 October 2022, 11.15-12.15am. Transitional Year Students, 20 per workshop
18 October 2022.  12.15am-1.15pm.  Transition Year Students, 20 per workshop
Creative Facilitator: Eimear Burke, Counselling psychologist
 
Acting for the Future Creativity and Well-Being Workshops
Killorglin Adult Literacy and Basis Education Centre ETB, Killorglin, County Kerry.
18 October 2022. 2-3pm. Adults
18 October 2022. 3-4pm. Adults
Creative Facilitator:  Eimear Burke, Counselling Psychologist
 
Smashing Times Youth Leadership Training
Killorglan Community College, Youth Chamber of Commerce. Training Location:  The Killorglan Family Resource Centre.
Two Youth Leadership Training workshops. 12 October, 10-11.30am and 11.30am-1pm. Artist and Facilitator: Michael McCabe 
Two Youth Leadership Training: workshops. 19 October, 10-11.30am and 11.30am-1pm. Artist and Facilitator Vanessa Ogida
Two Climate Change Vision Board Training workshops. 26 October, 10-11.30am and 11.30am-1pm. Creative Facilitator and Entrepreneur: Vanessa Ogida
 
O’Connell Education Centre
Two Vision Board Training workshops. 20 October,
Equality Workshops Through the Arts, Monsignor Flattery Room, The Barracks Heritage Centre, 25 October 2022. Equality Workshop, 25 October 2022, 5-7.30pm.  Attended by artists from South Kerry in partnership with Marina Ni Dhubhain, Creative Places
Facilitator: Ciara Hayes
 
Forbairt na Dromoda Teo, Dromid, County Kerry, 12 October 2022
Equality Workshop, 12 October 2022, 1.45-3pm. Attended by students from 4th and 5th Class, Scoil Náisiúnta Cillín Liath
Facilitator: Michael McCabe
Free
-

Writing a Protest Song!

Event Categories:
Fighting Words
At this workshop, we will look at the history of these songs, and draw on these themes to create our own songs relevant to today's (your) generation.
-

David and Goliath: Front line communities challenging corporate abuse

Event Categories:
Toast
Hear from the front line communities challenging corporate abuse as part of a panel discussion with human rights defenders from Mexico and Nepal, with the discussion accompanied by an exclusive screening of the new documentary ‘Make it your business’, on corporate accountability, realising a better future and how ordinary people can stand up and take action.
Free
-

Stories for Children from Ukraine

Event Categories:
Pearse Street Library Conference Centre
Victoria Amelina will entertain Ukrainian kids and their parents with funny stories from a writer's life and teach the children to draw the characters from her latest book, Ten Ways for an Excavator to Save the World ("Ееесторії екскаватора Еки"). PLEASE NOTE: This event is in Ukrainian.
October 26, 2022 @ 7:30 pm - October 29, 2022 @ 9:00 pm IST

Othello – maybe a dance

Event Categories:
Project Arts Centre
This post-festival event explores the relationships between Othello, Desdemona and Iago