Bealtaine Festival, Ireland’s national arts festival, is set to return in May 2024 with an open call for participants. The festival, which celebrates arts and creativity as we age, is inviting individuals and arts organizations from across the country to join in the festivities throughout the month of May.
Events at the Bealtaine Festival can include music performances, visual art exhibitions, theatre productions, writing workshops, dance performances, literature readings, circus acts, discussions on aging diversity, film screenings, storytelling sessions, and much more. This year’s festival theme, ‘Lust for Life’, aims to explore the newfound vitality and appreciation for life that often accompanies older age. To celebrate this theme, Bealtaine Festival has commissioned a new essay titled ‘Lust of Life’ by Liz McManus, a writer, former Labour TD, and Bealtaine Festival ambassador.
Participants are encouraged to come up with innovative event ideas that embody the essence of the ‘Lust for Life’ theme. The full essay ‘Lust of Life’ is available to read on the Bealtaine Festival website. Exciting events for the festival will be announced soon, with ‘Prom Night’ being a highlight. ‘Prom Night’ will be an inclusive event for older LGBTQIA+ individuals to dress up, dance, and enjoy a night of fun.
Dr. Tara Byrne, Arts Program Manager, expressed enthusiasm for the festival’s return, highlighting the diversity and creativity of older people in Ireland. Bealtaine Festival is an initiative by Age & Opportunity, funded by The Arts Council and the HSE. It aims to foster creativity among older people through intergenerational collaboration, showcasing older artists, and promoting skills and experiences that lead to a fulfilling creative life.
Organizations interested in participating in Bealtaine 2024 can register their events on the festival website. Registration is open throughout the month of May, and any queries can be directed to the Age & Opportunity Arts Administrator. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this celebration of arts and creativity in Ireland!
