Using the arts to promote peace, reconciliation and mutual understanding
The Memory Project is an exciting, innovative arts programme that uses drama and theatre to deal with the past and build pathways for the future, and to promote peace, reconciliation, and mutual understanding in Northern Ireland and the southern border counties.
The project was run by Smashing Times Theatre and Film Company in collaboration with Corrymeela Community/Irish Peace Centres and is funded through the EU’s European Regional Development fund through the PEACE III Programme for Peace and Reconciliation managed by the Special EU Programmes Body.
The project consists of a series of creative storytelling happenings, workshops and dramatic performances, along with a television documentary which was made to record the process.
The Memory Tour of Performances 2013, 2014
Thurs 29 Aug 7.30pm Thou Shalt Not Kill, Black Box, College Tower St Campus.
Tues 25 March 8pm Uprising, Droichead Arts Centre, Drogheda, County Louth.
Wed 26 March 8pm Uprising, Garage Theatre, Monaghan, County Monaghan.
Thurs 27 March 8.30pm Uprising, Ramor Theatre, Virginia, County Cavan
Fri 28 March 8pm Uprising, The Dock, Carrick on Shannon, County Leitrim
Sat 29 March 8pm Uprising, Alley Arts Centre, Strabane, County Tyrone
Mon 31 March 8pm Uprising, Derry Playhouse, Derry/Londonderry
Tues 1 April 8pm Uprising, Riverside Theatre, Coleraine
Fri 30 May, 8pm Thou Shalt Not Kill, Naughton Studio, Lyric Theatre, Belfast
Sat 31 May 8pm Uprising, Naughton Studio, Lyric Theatre, Belfast
The storytelling and dramatic performances acknowledge and deal with the past by exploring and addressing the legacy, impact, and memories of the conflict through a creative medium. The workshop programme with schools, youth groups and communities will promote anti-racism; anti-sectarianism; conflict resolution; equality and human rights. The purpose is to deal with the past history of conflict and to work collaboratively with a range of communities including young people and adults to build new pathways for a peaceful future.
The Memory Storytelling Tour 2013, 2014
Sat 27 July Yeats Festival, The Model, The Mall, Sligo. Facilitator: Idan Meir
Sat 21 Sept The Hub, Cookstown, County Tyrone. Facilitator: Maria McBride
Sun 29 Sept Bluestacks Festival, Ballyshannon, Co Donegal. Facilitator: Idan Meir
Sat 12 Oct Newry Women’s Group, Ballyholland Foresters’ Club, Facilitator: Maria McBride
Sat 26 Oct Metropolitan Arts Centre, 10 Exchange St, Belfast. Facilitator: Fiona Thompson,
Tues 29 Oct Belfast Festival at Queens. Venue: The Vine Centre, Belfast. Facilitator: Idan Meir
Sat 9 Nov Shankill Women’s Centre, Belfast. Facilitator: Maria Mc Bride
Wed 13 Nov Ards Arts Centre, Conway Square, Newtonards. Facilitator: Maria McBride
Sat 23 Nov Gasyard Feile, Derry/Londonderry. Facilitator: Idan Meir
Sat 30 Nov Baileborough Arts Centre, Baileborough. Facilitator: Fiona Thompson
Key elements of the Memory Project were captured on film and edited into a one hour Television Documentary broadcasted for national viewing. All materials generated by this project were then archived digitally online by CAIN (Conflict Archive on the Internet) and the University of Ulster INCORE International Conflict Research Institute for future research or reference by students, academics, community leaders and the general public.
