Dublin Arts & Human Rights Festival 2023

In Solidarity: An International Celebration of Arts and Human Rights

Friday 13 – Sunday 22 October 2023

“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 fifth annual, international Dublin Arts and Human Rights Festival from the 13 to 22 October 2023. The festival features exciting and innovative events that promote equality, human rights and diversity through the arts, taking place in Dublin, Kerry, Donegal and Cork, with artists and speakers in attendance from Ireland, Finland, Sweden, Italy, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Greece, Belgium, Cyprus, Romania, Bulgaria and Ukraine. 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 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 events happening in-person and online, featuring Irish 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.

The festival showcases world-class and diverse acts, artists and speakers, including up and coming performers. It brings arts and human rights together through interdisciplinary events which include workshops, theatre performances, musical performances, visual arts, exhibitions, film screenings, panel discussions, poetry and literature events, historical memory performances, live art, digital installations, and more.

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.

Meet the Festival Ambassadors 

Click on each image below to learn more

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, GOAL NextGen and Irish PEN. Creative partners include Irish Modern Dance Theatre, dlr Mill Theatre Dundrum, Rathfarnham Castle, Rua Red South Dublin Arts Centre, Unapologetic, Quintessence Theatre Company, Dance Cork Firkin Crane, Capreal Productions, Dublin UNESCO City of Literature, Dublin City Council, EPIC Irish Emigration Museum, Project Arts Centre, Pearse Street Library, dlr Lexicon Library, The Complex, The Old Barracks Cahersiveen, Glebe House Donegal, Fidget Feet, Cashel Arts Festival, and Docudays UA.

As Human Rights throughout the world continue to be under attack, the Dublin Arts and Human Rights Festival launches 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 2023

Today

List of events in Photo View