Events
Imagine Festival of Politics & Ideas
| Event | Imagine Festival of Politics & Ideas |
|---|---|
| When? | 24th March 2025 at 9:00am |
| Until? | 30th March 2025 at 11:11pm |
| Where? | Various Locations |
As Belfast’s Central Business District, home to cutting edge technology firms, government departments and thought leaders across various fields, LQ BID is proud to once again be supporting Imagine Festival of Politics & Ideas from March 24th – 30th.
This year’s theme is ‘Helping Your Make Sense Of A Crazy World’ which is encouraging people to ‘Stop Scrolling & Start Thinking.’ LQ BID are sponsoring the 10 events below, which are taking place at various venues across the Linen Quarter and we have some complimentary tickets to give away. Email stephen@linenquarter.org to enquire.
For the full list of events and ticket bookings for this year’s Imagine Festival, visit https://imaginebelfast.com/
24-30 March
1. Trócaire Eye of the Storm Exhibition – Belfast Grand Central Station
The Eyes of the Storm’ is a photographic exhibition by Trócaire, celebrating the courage and determination of people on the frontlines of the climate crisis across the world. As well as sharing their powerful stories, this exhibition also urges people on the island of Ireland to join the climate movement and stand together in solidarity with those most affected. We need governments and corporations to act, and we need them to act fast. This exhibition is part of Trócaire’s Climate Justice Campaign which is calling for a fast, fair and funded phase out of fossil fuels.
(Free – Drop In Throughout The Week)
24 March
2. Cory Doctorow in conversation with Alan Meban – Accidental Theatre
The New York Times best-selling author, journalist and activist will talk about his new crime thriller Picks and Shovels and his work on ‘disenshittifying’ Big Tech to create “a new, good internet where search engines find the things you’re looking for, social media delivers the messages you send, ecommerce platforms don’t rip off their sellers and nobody spies on you through your phone, your browser, your car or your smart-speaker.”
(Free – Book at link above)
3. Biddy McLaughlin Tales from a Patchwork Life – Grand Central Hotel
Join us for a talk by Brighid ‘Biddy’ McLaughlin, the acclaimed journalist and storyteller, who will talk about her life in the face of uncharted grief, finding solace in art, cooking and storytelling.
(Email stephen@linenquarter.org for Complimentary Tickets – normally £10)
4. Matt Forde In Conversation with William Crawley – Limelight
Matt’s hit live podcast The Political Party has hosted some of politics’ most powerful figures on the podcast, including Sir Keir Starmer, Nicola Sturgeon, Tony Blair, Jacob Rees-Mogg, Angela Rayner, Nigel Farage and Gordon Brown, to name just a few. This event involves approximately a 20-minute stand up set followed by a 40-minute Fireside Chat with the BBC’s William Crawley.
(Email stephen@linenquarter.org for Complimentary Tickets – normally £15)
25 March
5. David Baddiel in conversation with William Crawley – Limelight
David Baddiel is a comedian, author, screenwriter, television presenter and activist, and has been a prominent name in comedy for over thirty years. As a stand-up comedian, he performed to a Wembley crowd of 12,500 in the UK’s first ever arena comedy show in 1992 and was credited with turning comedy into ‘The New Rock n Roll’.
(Email stephen@linenquarter.org for Complimentary Tickets – normally £20)
6. Cabaret For Change – Accidental Theatre
This civic gathering is intended to be both enjoyably convivial and seriously provocative. We who choose to gather in what will be an informal, relaxed setting will have opportunity to listen to and participate in the singing of songs and the reading or reciting of poetry and poetical prose – all related to the promotion of values of peace, justice and kindness in the powerful and troubling times in which we are living. The venue is BYO, so feel free to bring any drinks to share with your table.
(Email stephen@linenquarter.org for Complimentary Tickets – normally £15)
27 March
7. Roman Krznaric History for Tomorrow – Grand Central Hotel
History offers a vision of radical hope that could turn out to be our most vital tool for surviving and thriving in the turbulent decades ahead.
What can humankind’s rich history of radical revolts teach us about the power of disobedience to tackle the climate crisis? What inspiration could we take from 18th century Japan to create a regenerative economy today? How might understanding the origins of capitalism spark ideas for bringing AI under control?
Leading social philosopher Roman Krznaric joins us to discuss his compelling contention that history is not simply a means of understanding the past but a way of reimagining our relationship with the future.
(Email stephen@linenquarter.org for Complimentary Tickets – normally £10)
28 March
8. Andy Zaltzman The Zaltgeist – Limelight
With the 3rd millennium almost 2.5% complete, Andy Zaltzman, one of the UK’s leading satirical comedians, assesses the state of Planet Earth and its most famous and controversial species – the human race.
(Email stephen@linenquarter.org for Complimentary Tickets – normally £19.50)
29 March
9. Exploring the Linen Quarter: Heritage, Art & Music
A walking tour around a vibrant district, combining heritage, history, culture and craic!
(Email stephen@linenquarter.org for Complimentary Tickets – normally £14)
30 March
10. Well Dressed Hooligans – The History of the Suffragettes Tour
A walking tour with guide Emma Casey, introducing you to some of the important locations for the suffrage movement in Belfast and some of the women who took part in the fight for the right to equal citizenship.
(Email stephen@linenquarter.org for Complimentary Tickets – normally £15)
