The 28th John Hewitt International Summer School celebrates culture and creativity with a five-day festival exploring diversity in contemporary Northern Ireland, through talks, readings, theatre, writing workshops and debates.
Inspired by the cross-community ideals of the socialist poet John Hewitt, each Summer School is themed around his writings, with the aim of exploring politically and culturally challenging issues of religion, race, and gender within our society.
Taking place annually in the last week of July, the historic town of Armagh in Northern Ireland is inundated with over 50 artists, writers, speakers and musicians presenting 35 plus eclectic events over a packed five days.
The 2015 programme includes: writers such as Mary Costello, Paul Muldoon, Tess Gallagher and Yasmon Alibhai-Brown; political cartoonist Ian Knox; creative writing workshops with Daragh Carville and Mary O’Donnell; and a political address from Lord David Steel of Aikwood.
The 2015 programme includes:
– Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Paul Muldoon returns to his home place in county Armagh
– Top Irish poetry from poets living abroad coming back to read on home soil: Alan Gillis, Sara Berkeley & Eamon Grennan
– Music & stories from acclaimed Irish novelist Patrick McCabe & BBC Radio Ulster’s Colm Sands
– Poet and essayist Tess Gallagher reading from her most recent work and reflecting on her years spent with her late husband, American short story writer Raymond Carver.
– Broadcaster and journalist Yasmin Alibhai-Brown debating the recent racist attacks in Northern Ireland and reading from her most recent publication, Refusing the Veil.
– Seven creative writing workshops over three days, led by writers including Omagh-based Celcius Daly crime novelist Anthony J. Quinn and Being Human BBC screenwriter Daragh Carville.
– The morning lectures series featuring a line-up of esteemed critics and academics, including genetic ancestry expert Alistair Moffat of Scotland’s DNA. See the full programme online: www.johnhewittsociety.org.
Tickets on sale now: call The Market Place Theatre on 028 3752 1821 or book online www.marketplacearmagh.com.