Past Festivals

2022 Festival

Common Ground, Common Good

4 Corners 2022 – Common Ground, Common Good

4 Corners Festival 2022 was the 10th Anniversary celebration that began in St Anne’s Cathedral and ends in St Peter’s.

This year the week long series of thought-provoking events were centered around the theme Common Ground, Common Good that included participants as diverse a boxer Carl Frampton, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Dr Austen Ivereigh, the Pope’s biographer, with a special video message from his Holiness Pope Francis.

Let Us Dream

St. Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast Sunday 30th January 2022 at 19:00

Our opening night event As both biographer of Pope Francis, and collaborator on his work ‘Let Us Dream’, Dr Austen Ivereigh is uniquely placed to discuss that dream – seeing our moment in history as full of uncertainty and brimming with possibility, and inspiring us to love and live that dream.

The Pope’s teachings on past and future, imploring us to “look at the past critically but with empathy”, and seeing the “great danger in remembering the guilt of others to proclaim my own innocence”, have clear parallels with the history of this country.

This event also featured music from Caroline Orr and Peter Greer.

Trouble Over The Bridge

Titanic Hotel, Belfast, Monday 31st January 2022 at 19:30

Bright Umbrella presented the delayed 60th Anniversary production of Over The Bridge, Sam Thompson’s play which marked a seminal moment in Ulster theatre history. Initially banned from being shown at the Ulster Group Theatre by its Unionist trustees for fear that its graphic depiction of sectarian violence in the shipyards would cause public disorder, the play went on to be seen by over 80,000 people.

The Trouble Over The Bridge company presented a selection of rehearsed readings of some of the play’s key scenes as well as extracts from James Ellis’s – director of the Ulster Theatre group – memoir, telling the story of the play’s stormy journey to success and will be followed by a discussion of the themes.

Trevor Gill. Picture by Bernie Brown. Bright Umbrella presents the delayed 60th Anniversary production of Over The Bridge, Same Thompson’s play which marked a seminal moment in Ulster theatre history. Staged at the Titanic Hotel as part of the 10th 4 Corners Festival Belfast.

Picture by Bernie Brown. Bright Umbrella presents the delayed 60th Anniversary production of Over The Bridge, Same Thompson’s play which marked a seminal moment in Ulster theatre history. Staged at the Titanic Hotel as part of the 10th 4 Corners Festival Belfast.

The Power of Nonviolence: A Workshop for Youth Workers

Forthspring, Belfast, Tuesday 1st February 2022 at 10:30

What does “‘Nonviolence’” actually mean? How can youth workers communicate the power of Nonviolence to their young people? In what ways can it transform their lives?

These are just some of the questions that were addressed in this workshop. Fr John Dear, internationally renowned teacher on Nonviolence and a peace activist, introduced the workshop via Zoom from the United States where he is based.

We also heard from other contributors including Stephen Hughes, Leader in Charge of St Peter’s Immaculata Youth Centre, Lower Falls, and Dr Maria Power from the Las Casas Institute for Social Justice.

Nonviolence – The Forgotten Teaching of Jesus: A Workshop for Christian Leaders

Forthspring, Belfast, Tuesday 1st February 2022 at 14:00

What did Jesus teach about “‘Nonviolence’”? Is his teaching relevant today? What would society look like if Jesus’ teaching on Nonviolence was practised, especially in situations of conflict?

These questions and more were explored in the context of Christian ministry and discipleship, both for Church leaders and those they serve. After introducing the morning workshop for youth workers, Fr John Dear turned his attention in this workshop specifically to Jesus’ teaching on Nonviolence.

Rev. Dr Johnston McMaster, Methodist, contextualised this teaching to our local situation in light of Irish history and offer some insights both past and present, and Dr Maria Power examined the teachings of Jesus found in the Gospels.

On Shifting Ground

Skainos, Belfast, Tuesday 1st February 2022 at 19:30

This event featured writer Susan McKay in conversation about her acclaimed new book, “Northern Protestants: On Shifting Ground”, with novelist Jan Carson, writer and church youth worker Anton Thompson McCormick, and poet Scott McKendry, and was chaired by Gladys Ganiel.

With Rev Dr Heather Morris, General Secretary of the Methodist Church in Ireland, reflecting on how churches might respond to issues raised by the book.

Carl at Clonard – Ambassador of the Common Good

Clonard Monastery, Belfast, Wednesday 2nd February 2022 at 20:00

Carl Frampton MBE, two-weight boxing World Champion, spoke with local journalist, Mark Sidebottom, about his life journey, love of Northern Ireland, and passion for representing all from this place – through boxing and beyond.

In the peaceful setting of Clonard Monastery, we discovered Carl’s sincere desire to be an ambassador for “Common Ground, Common Good”.

A Game Of Three Halves

QUB PEC, Belfast

Thursday 3rd February 2022 at 18:00

Young people aged 11-14 were invited to an exciting evening of sports delivered in partnership with PeacePlayers – NI.Participants tried their hand at playing games including GAA, soccer and rugby in integrated teams from across Belfast.

Peace Players Coaches and mentors shared tips for improving sports skills as well as unpacking what it means to show sportsmanship, be a team player and transfer these qualities to life off the pitch. We explored how the sports field is a place of common ground and experience the common good that results from participating in team activities.

This event enabled those who have previously been involved in PeacePlayers’ programmes to resume friendships. It was also open to young people across the city who have not attended these programmes before.

Who Is Deciding Our Future?

Fitzroy Presbyterian Church, Belfast, Thursday 3rd February 2022 at 19:30

Writer and peace-worker Sue Divin, author of the critically acclaimed novel “Guard Your Heart” lead an evening of thought-provoking discussion where young adults were given space to voice their thoughts, concerns and hopes for their city.

All participants had the opportunity to read the book in advance and will be able to share their views on our history, the intergenerational impact of the Troubles, and how they would shape a world where common ground might lead to more common good.

Writer and peace-worker Sue Divin, author of the critically acclaimed novel “Guard Your Heart” leads an evening of thought-provoking discussion where young adults where given space to voice their thoughts, concerns and hopes for their city in Fitzroy Church on Thursday 3-2-22. Picture by Bernie Brown.

Sue Divin and Mylie Brennan. Writer and peace-worker Sue Divin, author of the critically acclaimed novel “Guard Your Heart” leads an evening of thought-provoking discussion where young adults where given space to voice their thoughts, concerns and hopes for their city in Fitzroy Church on Thursday 3-2-22. Picture by Bernie Brown.

Discussion time. Writer and peace-worker Sue Divin, author of the critically acclaimed novel “Guard Your Heart” leads an evening of thought-provoking discussion where young adults where given space to voice their thoughts, concerns and hopes for their city in Fitzroy Church on Thursday 3-2-22. Picture by Bernie Brown.

In Conversation With Ruth McGinley

The Grand Opera House, Belfast, Friday 4th February 19:30

Following on from interviews with the likes of Snow Patrol’s Gary Lightbody and Deacon Blue’s Ricky Ross, this year Steve Stockman sat down with Derry’s pianist Ruth McGinley, who won the piano final of BBC’s Young Musician of The Year 1994.

Ruth has had quite a journey with her music first leading her to success, then to almost giving up the piano altogether. You’ll be inspired as Steve and Ruth chat about how she rediscovered her gift and found deep gladness in finding musical common ground with divergent acts such as Duke Special, Ryan Vail, Neil Martin and The Priests.

Ruth soundtracked this evening with her astonishing playing.

Knitting 4 Corners Together

Fitzroy Presbyterian Church, Belfast, Saturday 5th February 2022 at 14:00

We called all knitters and craft lovers to join us for an afternoon of chat and creativity as we find common ground in our shared enjoyment of the art of knitting. The third year of knitting together and we were delighted to return to a face to face gathering. Newcomers are welcome.

We shared ideas and inspiration from the 4 corners of Belfast as we knitted or crocheted squares that will be made into blankets as gifts to individuals, hostels and homes across the city.

Knitters and craft lovers came together at Fitzroy Church as part of the 4 Corners Festival 2022 to chat and be creative as they found common ground in a shared enjoyment of the art of knitting. This was the third year of knitting together and a delight to return to a face to face gathering. Picture by Bernie Brown.

Maud Wilson with her lockdown creation interpretation of the Coronavirus Virus entitled ‘Knitting 4 Corners of the World’. Knitters and craft lovers came together at Fitzroy Church as part of the 4 Corners Festival 2022 to chat and be creative as they found common ground in a shared enjoyment of the art of knitting. This was the third year of knitting together and a delight to return to a face to face gathering. Picture by Bernie Brown.

Wonderful Wander

Glencairn Road, Belfast, Saturday 5th February 13:00

This year we explored part of the new Belfast City Council Forth Meadow Community Greenway, a new £5.1 million EU PEACE IV-funded project connecting existing open spaces in north and west Belfast.

We met at the historic Fernhill House on Glencairn Road, before wandering through Glencairn Park with its river paths, trees and wildlife. From there we will walk towards the Springfield Road and into the newly redeveloped Springfield dam, affording us a chance to rest on the benches there, taking in the wonderful views the dam gives us over Belfast.

Our final leg took us down the Springfield Road, a short journey to Farset International Hostel where we ended our wander, it might have been wet and windy but that hot tea and bun at the end cheered us up!

BBC Radio Ulster Sunday Morning Service

Online/ Grosvenor House, Sunday 6th February, 10:15am

Once again the BBC Sunday Service will be a 4 Corners Festival service from Grosvenor Road Methodist with Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury preaching and music from the Belfast Community Gospel Choir.

The service can be replayed on BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Sounds.

Come And Live On Common Ground

St. Peter’s Cathedral, Belfast, Sunday 6th February 2022 at 19:00

The final event of the festival ended on a high, with special guest Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury who inspired us with the challenge to embody Common Ground and Common Good through the rest of the year. The Archbishop’s many visits to Northern Ireland have furnished him with some insight and knowledge of some of the issues faced here, and a particular passion for reconciliation.

The night also featured singer Dana Masters sending her jazz-soul voice soaring into the rafters of the cathedral.

Past Festivals

2022 Festival

Common Ground, Common Good

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