Coverevents events

TALKS, READINGS AND TOURS

Ivan Little: A Little History of Belfast Wed 2 May, 6.30pm, Finaghy Library, (1hour)Having lived in the city all his life, loving it and hating it in almost equal measure, having lived through every minute of the Troubles and reported on them too for the Belfast Telegraph, Downtown and UTV, acted in probably the most successful play to come out of the city in recent times with The History of the Troubles (accordin’ to my Da) and written a book about his life growing up in Belfast, Ivan has a big tale to tell about the city and its creative life.Free. No ticket required.

Cathy Martin: One City, One LookThurs 3 May, 6.30pm, Ormeau Library, (1 hour)Fashion guru and director of Belfast Fashion-Week Cathy Martin, talks about 1800s Belfast, what they wore, how they wore it and how Belfast’s street style has evolved over the last 200 years.Free. No ticket required.

The Great Literary Book Hunt: The Mill for Grinding Old People Young Sat 5 May, various locations If you haven’t read a copy of The Mill for Grinding Old People Young yet, maybe you’ll be lucky enough to find one of the 100 free copies we’ve scattered throughout the city. Look out for hidden copies in public parks, literary landmarks and arts venues across Belfast.

Glenn Patterson: The Mill for Grinding Old People YoungTues 8 May, 8pm, The Assembly RoomsA reading presented as part of the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival, in association with Polish Cultural Week and One City, One Book Belfast 2012. Tickets £8 from www.cqaf.com or Belfast Welcome Centre 028 9024 6609.

Gary Law: Belfast’s Historic Public Houses Thurs 10 May, 6.30pm, Grove Library (1 hour)Journalist and author of Historic Pubs of Belfast, Gary invites you to join him for an insight into the city’s oldest pubs and historical hostelries, as well as colourful anecdotes about some of their most infamous regulars. Free. No ticket required.

In conversation with Glenn Patterson and guests Mon 14 May, Ballyhackamore Library, 6.30pm (1 hour) In this first in a series of three special talks, author Glenn Patterson – along with some special guests - will return to his east Belfast roots to discuss some of the themes uncovered in The Mill for Grinding Old People Young, the characters behind the story and life in 1800s Belfast. Free. No ticket required.

Robert McMillen: Irish Language from Ancient Times to Modern DayThurs 17 May, Belfast Central Library, 6.30pm (1 hour) Historian, journalist, and cultural blogger Robert gives his original take on the sensational story of Irish language and its literature in Belfast, drawing on some of the many public records and historical documents held within the vaults of Belfast Central Library. Free. No ticket required.

Glenn Patterson’s 1800s Belfast: Walking Tour (1 hour)Thurs 17 May, 7.45pm, meet at front door of the City Hall Sat 19 May, 11am, meet at front door of the City HallStep inside 1800s Belfast with the author of The Mill for Grinding Old People Young. The walking tour will give an insight into the public houses, factories, houses and long-forgotten streets which inspired his writing and which are brought to life once again in this important historical novel. Tours are free of charge and will last approximately 1 hour.

In conversation with Glenn Patterson and guests Mon 21 May, 6.30pm, Falls Library (1 hour) In the second in this series of special talks, author Glenn Patterson – along with some special guests - discusses some of the themes uncovered in his novel The Mill for Grinding Old People Young, the characters behind the story and life in 1800s Belfast. Free. No ticket required.

In conversation with Glenn Patterson and guests Tues 22 May, 12.30pm, Dundonald Library (1 hour) In the third in this series of special talks, author Glenn Patterson – along with some special guests - discusses some of the themes uncovered in his novel The Mill for Grinding Old People Young, the characters behind the story and life in 1800s Belfast. Free. No ticket required.

Malachi O’Doherty: Reinterpreting BelfastThurs 31 May, 6.30pm, Shankill Library (1 hour)Writer and cultural commentator Malachi O’Doherty explores how Belfast is portrayed through the eyes of those who know it best: its residents. Taking Glenn Patterson’s 1800s Belfast as his starting point, Malachi will draw on his and other writers’ musings on the character of the city.Free. No ticket required.

FILM PROGRAMME – Author’s Choice Presented in association with Queen’s Film Theatre Belfast For further information on these films and ticket prices visit: www.queensfilmtheatre.com or call QFT box office: 028 90971097

The Third Man, Fri 25 May, 6.30pmFrom its waltzing zither theme tune to its des-perate chase through the Viennese sewers for the elusive anti-hero Harry Lime, The Third Man is an iconic film noir that is still fresh despite its familiarity.

Safety Last!, Sat 26 May, 11.30am Evoke nostalgic memories of a past era of cinema with this recreation of a Saturday morn-ing film club and a special screening of Harold Lloyd’s classic silent comedy.

Pandora’s Box, Sat 26 May, 6.30pm Very few films encapsulate the magic of the silent cinema era as effectively, or unforgettably as Pandora’s Box, a tale of sexual obsession that is erotic, nihilistic and utterly decadent.

End of the Century: The Story of the Ramones, Sun 27 May, 6.30pm Often cited as the original punk film, The Ramones never got rich but left a hugely influential musical legacy. This documentary is an absorbing chronicle of the band’s epic highs and tragic lows.

No-one Knows about Persian Cats, Mon 28 May, 6.30pmThe spirit of Rock and Roll is alive and well…in Tehran at least. An outright ban on secular music by the Iranian authorities has spawned a thriving, and illegal, music scene in the country, as explored in this drama-documentary.

A Million Bricks, Tues 29 May, 6.30pmProduced by Belfast-based film company North-ern Visions, A Million Bricks tells the story of Springfield Park, a once peaceful mixed housing estate in west Belfast torn apart by the Troubles and now divided by a peace line.

Little Big Man, Wed 30 May, 6.30pmHistory is rewritten in Arthur Penn’s revisionist take on the Battle of Little Big Horn and on the Western genre in general. Part sly comedy, part social commentary with a clear anti-War mes-sage it is very much a product of the Vietnam war era.

Repulsion, Thurs 31 May, 6.30pmPolanski’s claustrophobic chiller charting Catherine Deneuve’s descent into insanity, is as unsettling a depiction of madness as you will ever encounter.

LITERARY BELFAST EVENTS www.literarybelfast.org for the latest Belfast literary news, reviews, releases, events, tours, exhibitions, audio and video.

Belfast Through Writers’ EyesWed 30 May, 7pm, Ulster HallLiterary Belfast’s Journey through an exclusive film screening of a host of local writers as they take you to their favourite Belfast locations, share their stories and read from their work. Free admission

Literary Belfast Exhibition and Literary ArchiveMon 7 – Thurs 31 May, Café Area Ulster HallGet to know Belfast writers, past and present. Discover a unique collection of BBC radio recordings in the listening kiosk which captures the genius of local writers.Free Admission

Belfast Literary Walking TourSat 26 May, 2pm, Ulster HallWriters including Charles Dickens, John Hewitt and Seamus Heaney are featured during this 90 minute walking tour. Learn about The Ulster Hall’s rich literary history before discovering old and new stories throughout the city centre in the company of literary enthusiast and Director of the Belfast Book Festival, Hugh Odling Smee.Free admission

An Arts Council of Northern Ireland initiative

ONE CITY ONE BOOK

BElfAsT 2012

Programme of Events

May 2012“Glenn Patterson has become one of the most serious chroniclers of Northern Ireland over

the past thirty years, as well as one of the best contemporary Irish novelists”

Colm Tóibín

Events supported byOne City One Book Belfast 2012 is a project designed to encourage everyone in the city to read the same book during the month of May. The Arts Council initiative promotes reading and celebrates contemporary writing and Northern Ireland’s rich literary heritage. The associated programme of events is supported by Belfast City Council, Libraries NI and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board.

This Autumn/Winter, Queen’s University in partnership with One City One Book Belfast 2012 will be offering literature, visual arts and music courses as part of the

Open Learning programme. Look out for more information on this over the coming weeks at: www.qub.ac.uk/schools/SchoolofEducation/OpenLearning/

ONe CITy ONe BOOk & OPeN LeArNING QueeN’s uNIversITy BeLfAsT

Book illustration: Long Bridge across the river Lagan, A. Nichol, 1837

Why not come along to some of the talks, tours and film screenings happening throughout May. All the events have been inspired by this year’s chosen author, Glenn Patterson and his book, The Mill for Grinding Old People Young. Most of the events are free and will take place in various locations across Belfast city.

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events synopsisintro about auth

ONe CITy, ONe BOOk has been running successfully in cities around the world since 1998 and this year, the Arts Council brings the initiative to Belfast.

The idea is to focus on one book by a local author throughout the month of May, and through that book to celebrate contemporary writing from Northern Ireland as well as the rich heritage of writing we enjoy here. The chosen book is all about Belfast, so along our literary journey we will also gain a special insight into this remarkable, historic city.

Glenn Patterson’s new novel, The Mill for Grinding Old People Young, is a love story set in 1831 around the city’s familiar landmarks, which transports us back in time to a people and a place that would shape modern-day Belfast.

Glenn is the author of eight novels and the recipient of a Major Individual Artist Award from the Arts Council, awarded in honour of his contribution to literature in Northern Ireland.

I would like to thank Glenn and our partners for their support for this community reading programme, and I hope you will feel inspired to read the book and go along to some of the events we’ve organised to mark Belfast’s One City, One Book 2012.

BOB COLLINs

Chair, Arts Council of Northern Ireland

About the Book

In the cold dawn of Christmas Day 1897, Gilbert rice, 85 years old and in failing health, recounts his journey into manhood in a city on the cusp of great change.

Belfast in the 1830s is in flux. Industrialisation has led to an increase in population as workers flock to newly created jobs. Gilbert, a young man with prospects, begins work with the Ballast Office, supervising Belfast Port.

But in the course of his days – and nights – abroad in the town, Gilbert becomes aware of tensions old and new. When he meets Maria, a Polish exile from russian persecution, he is drawn into a love affair that will drive him to an act that could change his life, and the town’s, for ever.

The Mill for Grinding Old People Young is a brilliantly imaginative and moving historical novel. It evokes a vanishing city that resonates powerfully with our contemporary anxieties.

s T A r T r e A D I N G . . .

Do you love a good story, keen to brush up on your local history, or searching for that next perfect book club read?

Copies of The Mill for Grinding Old People Young are available now through the Libraries NI network. The novel is also out to buy now in hardback and e-book

from all major bookstores.

About the Author

Glenn Patterson is the author of seven previous novels and a memoir, Once Upon a Hill: Love in Troubled Times. He has written plays for radio 3 and radio 4 and is the co-writer of Good Vibrations (BBC fILM), based on the life of Belfast Punk Impresario Terri Hooley, which is due for release in 2012. A collection of his journalism for,

among others the Guardian, Sunday Times and Irish Times was published in 2006 as Lapsed Protestant. He lives in Belfast.

Critical acclaim for The Mill for Grinding Old People Young

“The mark of successful historical fiction is that it has unforced resonances for the time it is being read in. The Mill for Grinding Old People Young is such a novel.” Mary Morrissy, Irish Times

“Patterson’s love story is elegantly told . . . in its pages you can find another vision of Belfast.” Teddy Jamieson, Herald Scotland

“Gripping” Michael Conaghan, Belfast Telegraph

e v e N T s A T A G L A N C e

Wed 2 May, 6.30pm Ivan Little: A Little History of Belfast

Finaghy Library, (1hour)

Thurs 3 May, 6.30pm Cathy Martin: One City, One Look

Ormeau Library, (1 hour)

Sat 5 May The Great Literary Book Hunt

Various locations

Mon 7 – Thurs 31 May Literary Belfast Exhibition and Literary Archive

Café Area Ulster Hall

Tues 8 May, 8pm Glenn Patterson Reading The Assembly Rooms

Thurs 10 May, 6.30pm Gary Law: Belfast’s Historic Public Houses

Grove Library (1 hour)

Mon 14 May, 6.30pm In conversation with Glenn Patterson and guests

Ballyhackamore Library, (1 hour)

Thurs 17 May , 6.30pm Robert McMillen: Irish Language from Ancient Times to Modern Day

Belfast Central Library, (1 hour)

Thurs 17 May, 7.45pm Glenn Patterson’s 1800s Belfast: Walking Tour

Meet at front door of the City Hall (1 hour)

Sat 19 May, 11am Glenn Patterson’s 1800s Belfast: Walking Tour

Meet at front door of the City Hall (1 hour)

Mon 21 May, 6.30pm In conversation with Glenn Patterson and guests

Falls Library (1 hour)

Tues 22 May, 12.30pm, In conversation with Glenn Patterson and guests

Dundonald Library (1 hour)

Fri 25 May, 6.30pm The Third Man Queen’s Film Theatre

Sat 26 May, 11.30am Safety Last! Queen’s Film Theatre

Sat 26 May, 6.30pm Pandora’s Box Queen’s Film Theatre

Sat 26 May, 2pm Belfast Literary Walking Tour

Ulster Hall

Sun 27 May, 6.30pm End of the Century: The Story of the Ramones

Queen’s Film Theatre

Mon 28 May, 6.30pm No-one Knows about Persian Cats

Queen’s Film Theatre

Tues 29 May, 6.30pm A Million Bricks Queen’s Film Theatre

Wed 30 May, 6.30pm Little Big Man Queen’s Film Theatre

Wed 30 May, 7pm Belfast Through Writers’ Eyes

Ulster Hall

Thurs 31 May, 6.30pm Repulsion Queen’s Film Theatre

Thurs 31 May, 6.30pm Malachi O’Doherty: Reinterpreting Belfast

Shankill Library (1 hour)

OnE CiTy OnE BOOk BELfAST 2012

■ TALKS, READINGS AND TOURS ■ FILM PROGRAMME ■ LITERARY BELFAST EVENTS

find out more at www.artscouncil-ni.org or

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