by Frank Liddy
The Northern Ireland Mental Health Arts Festival (NIMHAF) celebrated it's tenth anniversary with a spectacular Regional Festival including fringe events, leading into and beyond the 10-day Festival.
This year was ambitious – promising and delivering a Festival spanning the entire region, from the City of Derry to The City of Belfast with a host of virtual, online and face-to-face events, exhibitions and performances across all counties of Derry, Fermanagh, Tyrone, Armagh, Down and Antrim.
An invitation to Arts Managers across Northern Ireland to participate added to the Festival's success and profile. No county left behind. This year's festival was a testament to the pivotal power of partnership in embracing the arts, and challenging the stigma associated with mental health and wellbeing, fostering the importance of community spirit, mental health awareness, and harnessing lived experience to inform government policy.
The theme, "PAUSE," may have suggested a moment of stillness and reflection, but in reality, while the festival provided space and solace for individuals and collectives, it was also a vibrant, diverse & inclusive, nonstop celebration of creativity, self-expression and partnership working, where invaluable lessons learned from lived experience and hope and resilience in the face of adversity, were truly celebrated with compassion and dignity. As always the dedicated programme of events coincided with Mental Health Awareness Week.
This year the NIMHAF Board embraced with courage and relish the challenge of delivering a diverse, dynamic and inclusive Festival Programme with an inspiring launch ceremony at Stormont, hosted by Sinn Féin's mental health spokesperson, Ms Órlaithí Flynn MLA. She welcomed and highlighted the significance of NIMHAF in promoting mental health and wellbeing, and the vital role that the arts play in this domain. The opening event in The Long Gallery attended by 85 representatives, featured a dazzling array of visual and performing arts, and provided insight into an exciting regional programme of events.
Attendees from across arts and culture, health, community, education - and human rights advocates and activists, were inspired by a range of artists across artforms with moving contributions including film, poetry, song, storytelling, music, and visual art, showcasing the rich cultural heritage and creative talent of emerging and established local, regional & international artists & creatives. It was a showcase of brilliance that left the audience in awe and set a high standard for the days to come.
This year's Festival proudly celebrated its 10th anniversary not only with a significant launch in Stormont but also with 2 major Symposia entitled Mental Health & Creativity Matters in two cities: Derry and Belfast. An additional commitment has been made to facilitate a series of ongoing PAUSECASTS: 12 face-to-face invitations facilitated by Frank Liddy and Noelle McAlinden over the next year across Northern Ireland supporting ongoing dialogue and creative collaborations to highlight increasing opportunities to challenge stigma and the significance of creativity and self-expression upon mental health & wellbeing.
We were thrilled our First Symposium hosted by The Mayor of Derry City & Strabane District Council in The Guildhall, Derry, began a lively series of impressive line ups of inspirational speakers including NI Mental Health Champion Prof Siobhan O'Neill. These gatherings brought together some of the most respected voices in mental health, arts, academia and community activism.With inspiring inputs from those with lived experience. The second Symposium – hosted by Ulster University Belfast campus – was warmly welcomed and attended by The Mayor of Belfast, Dr Lucy Johnstone, among others, and presented on innovative approaches to mental health care, such as the New Script model, which emphasises understanding individuals' stories rather than focusing solely on medical diagnosis. The symposia provided invaluable insights and sparked lively discussions among attendees, reinforcing the festival's commitment to challenging stigma, promoting inclusive dialogue on mental health & wellbeing through partnership working,valuing lived experience informing policy & practice through community engagement.
Both symposia were significant in both cities, where the festival flourished, showcasing the incredible insights and talent. Both were a testament to the region's vibrant arts scene, with local and internationally acclaimed artists captivating audiences with their originality and passion. The atmosphere was electric as performers and attendees alike shared in the collective experience of art and the profound impact on mental health.
Back in Belfast, the festival reached a high point with the presentation of a beautiful piece of art to the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Cllr Ryan Murphy. This symbolic gesture highlighted the festival's commitment to integrating the arts into the fabric of Northern Irish society and its potential to bring about positive change. The endorsements from both Mayors in both cities underscored the importance of civic support for initiatives like NIMHAF, which aim to break down stigmas surrounding mental health and promote a more inclusive and understanding community.
Throughout the festival, there was a palpable sense of unity and purpose. From all participants speakers,artists and community workshops to intimate performances, NIMHAF's diverse programme ensured that there was something for artists, academics, practitioners and public. Whether it was a stirring piece of performance art or a quiet moment of reflection during a poetry reading, the festival created space for people to connect, reflect, and journey towards healing. We look forward to ongoing dialogue and collaboration.
One particularly moving event was a community singing session held in Belvoir theatre by the Belfast Rock choir. Participants from various backgrounds came together to lift their voices in harmony, creating a powerful sense of belonging and togetherness. This event encapsulated the festival's ethos of inclusivity and the belief that everyone has a voice worth hearing. It was a reminder of the strength that comes from communal expression and the healing power of music.
Highlights included exhibitions celebrating Cultural Champions Maurice Harron, Mavis Thomson, and contributions by Founding Performance Artists Allistair Maclennan and James King.
Another Festival highlight was a celebration of the visual arts, featuring an exhibition of works created by artists who have experienced mental health challenges at Ulster University College of Art. The pieces on display were a poignant reminder of the resilience and creativity that can emerge from adversity. The exhibition was not only a showcase of artistic talent but also a powerful statement about the importance of providing platforms for marginalised voices.
The Festivals final event was 'it flows with no electric', a moving collaboration between Brain Injury Matters, Poet Natasha Cuddington and the Sonic Art Research Centre at Queens University Belfast. The audience were moved by the inspiring performance, empowering those affected to communicate in music,spoken word & digital imagery with confidence.
The success of this year's festival would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of the NIMHAF board and dedicated volunteers, evolving partnerships, and the generous support of our Funders. Their collective commitment to excellence ensured that the festival was a resounding success, reaching new heights in its tenth year.
As we look back on this remarkable festival, it's clear that NIMHAF has become a vital part of our Regions' cultural landscape. It has grown from a modest initiative into a dynamic, region wide celebration that brings together people from all walks of life. The festival's ability to foster dialogue, inspire creativity, and promote mental wellbeing is a testament to the transformative power of the arts.
In the years ahead, NIMHAF will undoubtedly continue to grow and evolve, building on the solid foundation laid over the past decade. The festival's commitment to inclusivity and it's celebration of the intersection between mental health and the arts will remain at its core, driving it forward towards even greater achievements.
For those who missed this year's festival, the message is clear: don't miss the next one. NIMHAF is not just an event, it's a movement, a celebration of life, and a reminder of the extraordinary potential within each of us. As we reflect on this year's Festival and Fringe events we are filled with gratitude and anticipation for the future, confident that NIMHAF will continue to inspire, empower & encourage healing, and bring joy to communities across the North of Ireland for many years to come.
Frank Liddy was a driving force in the Twinbrook Residents Association in the seventies and eighties, taking a break for a short period to try his hand as a saxophonist in a punk band, before embracing the study of Zen Buddhism and mindfulness.
He has over 35 years’ practice-based experience with mindfulness programmes that have helped to transform the lives of many people across Ireland.
Frank is the co-founder of the Black Mountain Zen Centre and Compassionate City Belfast. He now lives in North Belfast but a return to Twinbrook is on the cards.