Events

Malachi O'Doherty returned to India this year, forty years after a period in the mid 1970s when he lived there as a disciple of a Hindu swami. This time he captured images of the old India that still shows through the rapid modernisation of the country, photographing faces and scenes from cremation fires at the Ganges to the market stalls of Kolkata.

Malachi is a Belfast Telegraph columnist and a regular commentator in the broadcast media. His most recent book, Fifty Years On, was published this year by Atlantic.

Please note that EastSide Gallery is also used as a meeting/ workshop space. We would advise that you call ahead of your visit to ensure access to EastSide Gallery.

Join C.S. Lewis expert, Laura Spence, for a 2.5 hour walk around some areas of east Belfast most associated with Lewis and his family.  This walk includes a brief coffee stop and a tour of the Narnian sculptures at C.S. Lewis Square.  Moderate fitness levels required, please wear suitable shoes and bring waterproofs.  Meet at Jack Cafe.

Join us for a two day programme of activities to kick off the festive celebrations at C.S. Lewis Square. There’ll be a unique Father Christmas Experience, festive market stalls, dining under the stars, music, arts and crafts, family entertainment and much more… 

Join us on Friday 22nd November at 7pm for our Christmas Lights Switch On with entertainment for all the family at C.S. Lewis Square. Keep an eye on our social media channels for the most up to date information.

Join Janice on a storytelling journey into the woods where you will meet the magical insects and animals that live there, and hear tales of brave birds and dancing trees.

Suitable for all primary age children and their parents.

Back for a third year! C.S. Lewis had an uneasy relationship with hymns, considering them to be “fifth-rate poems set to sixth-rate music.” Nevertheless, he saw their merit in bringing together people of different outlooks and education. There is a grand tradition within the Christian church of bringing together hymn-singing and pub culture. Come along for an evening of communal hymn-singing, compered by the Reverend Adrian McCartney and featuring The Bright Hour band. Bring a friend and bring your voices!

An evening of readings and drama that consider Lewis’s writings from 1960 to his death in 1963.  Works by Lewis, and earlier works by his wife Joy Davidman, are presented, with particular consideration given to Lewis’s reports on his crisis of faith and to his (often uplifting) views on death and dying. Extracts courtesy of the C.S. Lewis Estate.

The Literary Fairy has all the best stories in her magic library, and because Christmas is coming, she has an extra-special story to tell you. Who doesn’t love a fantastic Christmas story? The evil Snow Queen doesn’t, that’s who. She has been up to her nasty mischief, and is planning on ruining Christmas for everybody! Can you help the Literary Fairy, her friend The Faun, and the Very Interesting Creatures sort out this terrible mess and foil the Snow Queen’s rotten plans? Bring your imagination and your favourite, loveliest words, and join our characters on their quest to save Christmas. You may even get to meet Santa if your mission is successful! Grown-ups can come too if they promise to behave.

Join award-winning children’s and YA authors Myra Zepf and Kelly McCaughrain, plus Grainne Clear of Walker Books as they give honest advice and insight into the world of children’s and YA publishing and answer all your questions about writing and publishing books for young people.

Join us for a two day programme of activities to kick off the festive celebrations at C.S. Lewis Square. There’ll be a unique Father Christmas Experience, festive market stalls, dining under the stars, music, arts and crafts, family entertainment and much more… Join us on Friday 22nd November at 7pm for our Christmas Lights Switch On with entertainment for all the family at C.S. Lewis Square. Keep an eye on our social media channels for the most up to date information.

Join Women Aloud NI as our writers take you on a journey beyond the wardrobe. In this showcase of Children and Young Adult writers you will be treated to readings from books and/or works in progress, highlighting the diversity of contemporary female voices within this genre. The readers will take you into other worlds of the sub-genres and beyond, before bringing you back through the wardrobe. Everyone is welcome because, let’s face it, you’re never too old for a good story!

Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison was a writer with exceptional imagination and insight. Her novels engaged creatively and powerfully with questions of race and class in twentieth century America. Her recent death highlighted just how much her work has impacted and shaped both readers and writers. Join us for an informal discussion of her incredible, prize-winning novel, Beloved. Please read the book prior to the discussion.

"....In your mind, you can find, a whole world of pure imagination... Let’s go somewhere today." 
To the beach! Perhaps, if the sun shines. Maybe a woodland walk or a trip to the movies. Who knows where we’ll go! Through music, story and song we’ll travel to a place of our own making. This mini adventure is perfect for curious souls, big and small.

Suitable for age 4-7 and their grown-ups

*Ticket price is per child, adults tickets are free

Malachi O'Doherty returned to India this year, forty years after a period in the mid 1970s when he lived there as a disciple of a Hindu swami. This time he captured images of the old India that still shows through the rapid modernisation of the country, photographing faces and scenes from cremation fires at the Ganges to the market stalls of Kolkata.

Malachi is a Belfast Telegraph columnist and a regular commentator in the broadcast media. His most recent book, Fifty Years On, was published this year by Atlantic.

Please note that EastSide Gallery is also used as a meeting/ workshop space. We would advise that you call ahead of your visit to ensure access to EastSide Gallery.

Join us for a free Narnia themed treasure hunt and super fun craft activity, write your own story with children’s author Myra Zepf and explore C.S. Lewis Square. Drop in any time!

Age: Up to 10 years old

Following on from the success of our previous Narnia-themed markets, we are delighted to be stepping through the wardrobe again this year. We will be holding this special market with a Junior Craft table and drop in workshops. Our exhibitors will once again be producing wonderful C.S. Lewis-inspired items and we will be running a massive Hamper Give Away on our Facebook page! Full details can be found at www.fineanddandymarket.co.uk

Writing other worlds is one of the most exciting parts of a sci-fi author’s job. Whether you're exploring alien landscapes, dystopian futures, or anything in between, this workshop will look at how to bring your settings to life and make them feel as real to your readers as they do to you. Facilitated by novelist and short story writer Rachael B Kelly. Participants should bring something to write with (notebook and pen or laptop).

Age 16+

Tenx9 founder, poet and theologian Pádraig Ó Tuama  and festival Curator, Jan Carson will deliver two short lectures exploring the theme of imagination. Where does imagination come from? How can we make the most of our imagination? What is the relationship between imagination and art? Join us for an hour of stimulating thought and discussion.

Blue. You have heard it again and again, played in coffee shops and on vinyl players in hipster's living rooms. Well let's listen again, this time with different ears. Join theologian and Joni Mitchell fan, Dr Andrew Cunning, for an evening unpacking Joni's best album, allowing it to teach us something new about something old as we celebrate Mitchell’s visionary imagination.

Malachi O'Doherty returned to India this year, forty years after a period in the mid 1970s when he lived there as a disciple of a Hindu swami. This time he captured images of the old India that still shows through the rapid modernisation of the country, photographing faces and scenes from cremation fires at the Ganges to the market stalls of Kolkata.

Malachi is a Belfast Telegraph columnist and a regular commentator in the broadcast media. His most recent book, Fifty Years On, was published this year by Atlantic.

Please note that EastSide Gallery is also used as a meeting/ workshop space. We would advise that you call ahead of your visit to ensure access to EastSide Gallery.

This talk begins with Lewis’s own comment that his friendship with Tolkien challenged two of his learned prejudices, firstly against ‘papists’ and secondly against philologists. (The latter was not totally serious!) After looking at Lewis’s family background in early 20th century Belfast and the attitudes of that era, Lewis expert Rev. Mercia Flannagan will consider how Lewis’s later Christianity was broadened by his friendship with Tolkien. 

Join us as we gather together to openly discuss 'The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe.' More than just an in-depth analysis of the novel, there will also be an opportunity for readers to share their own personal insights and experiences of Lewis's most-loved work.  Hosted by Richard Ryan, owner of The Book Well bookshop on Belmont Road. This event is open to all ages, and preferably to those who have read the novel.

Searchlight Theatre Company’s award-winning production based on the brilliantly funny, classic apologist book by Lewis, this dazzling production gives a witty insight into the frailties of human nature with a telling accuracy. Screwtape’s aim is to mentor his junior devil Wormwood into tempting their “subject” into a secure damnation. “The devil’s greatest weapon is that we do not exist.” A huge sell-out success in 2017 and back by popular demand, don’t miss this sparkling adaptation full of perception, mockery and truth. Adapted for the stage by Nigel Forde.

A little nonsense now and then, is relished by the wisest men...' according to Willy Wonka, whom everyone knows really was the wisest of men. Join Strand Arts Centre and the Junction Club, and indulge in a little nonsense, a lot of laughter, and a factory-full of the sweetest magic. Screening suitable for all ages, all abilities, all dreamers of dreams.

“This not like any book you have ever read. It will make you belly-laugh, give you goose-bumps & tie knots in your brain.” Myra Zepf

To celebrate the 200th anniversary of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Fighting Words Belfast created 'Friends & Monsters’ — a cross-community creative writing project for post-primary students, exploring themes of obsession, grief, revenge & loneliness. The result is this collective book — sometimes dark, often silly, always surprising. With stories and poems by young writers from four Belfast schools and the Write Club at Duncairn, this anthology is a rollercoaster ride through the weird, the wonderful, the creepy and the crazy. This is what it looks like when you unleash the hurricane force of teen imaginations into the wild. It can get weird. We can’t wait to show you.

C.S. Lewis was President of the Oxford Socratic Society and oversaw many vibrant debates on contentious issues. This year's Socratic Debate will discuss the motion that  
'This House believes that Northern Ireland will not move forward until our children are educated in the same classrooms together.'

The debate will be chaired by writer, documentary-maker and presenter of Radio Ulster's Talkback programme, William Crawley. There will be skilled speakers on both sides of the debate as well as opportunities for contributions from the floor of the House.

Malachi O'Doherty returned to India this year, forty years after a period in the mid 1970s when he lived there as a disciple of a Hindu swami. This time he captured images of the old India that still shows through the rapid modernisation of the country, photographing faces and scenes from cremation fires at the Ganges to the market stalls of Kolkata.

Malachi is a Belfast Telegraph columnist and a regular commentator in the broadcast media. His most recent book, Fifty Years On, was published this year by Atlantic.

Please note that EastSide Gallery is also used as a meeting/ workshop space. We would advise that you call ahead of your visit to ensure access to EastSide Gallery.

With Special Guest Anthony Toner

Acclaimed singer songwriter Eilidh Patterson makes her EastSide debut with a concert at EastSide Visitor Centre on Friday November 29, hot on the heels of her latest release, Journey Maker.

Eilidh (pronounced ‘I-Lee’) is a warm, engaging performer of startling clarity. With songs that cut straight to the heart, delightfully accurate guitar playing and crystal clear vocals, she has made an immediate connection with audiences across the world.

In recent years, she has performed at music festivals in the United States and throughout the UK. Eilidh's relaxed stage presence invites the listener to sit back and enjoy her unique take on life and love. As legendary songwriter Beth Nielsen Chapman said: "Eilidh Patterson's voice is velvet and air. The richness of her songs and her sound is something beautiful to behold.”

Earlier this year, Eilidh released her fourth studio album, Journey Maker, a collection that has attracted strong reviews and airplay. For this solo performance, she will be joined as special guest by songwriter/guitarist Anthony Toner – Anthony will introduce Eilidh and conduct a short relaxed interview – and join her for a few songs during the set.

"Eilidh shows a real talent for capturing a hook and melody to match her beautiful vocals and engaging words.”- Lonesome Highway

Find out more about Eilidh at her website: www.eilidhpatterson.com

Malachi O'Doherty returned to India this year, forty years after a period in the mid 1970s when he lived there as a disciple of a Hindu swami. This time he captured images of the old India that still shows through the rapid modernisation of the country, photographing faces and scenes from cremation fires at the Ganges to the market stalls of Kolkata.

Malachi is a Belfast Telegraph columnist and a regular commentator in the broadcast media. His most recent book, Fifty Years On, was published this year by Atlantic.

Please note that EastSide Gallery is also used as a meeting/ workshop space. We would advise that you call ahead of your visit to ensure access to EastSide Gallery.