Human Rights Festival at Eden Place Arts’ Centre

“Rights are the beginning of peace within societies, and a way to create a fairer society for future generations”, so says the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. 

Mindful of this, Eden Place Arts Centre, which is housed in Pilots’ Row community centre in the Bogside, is hosting its 7th Annual Human Rights Festival this week.

Festival co-organiser, Judi Logue said this year's festival is taking inspiration from Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, a Cuban artist jailed for freedom of expression.

Pilots Row Youth Club with the artwork they created along with Lincoln Court, Currynierin and Bishop Street Youth Clubs for the 7th Annual Human Rights Festival.

Alcántara said: “The song of an artist can reach millions of people and make them cry, a picture from a visual artist can transform the feeling of what is happening in a country. This is something an artist must take responsibility for.”

“We have a jam-packed programme,” said Judi. “On Friday (December 9) from 4pm to 6pm, we have Part 2 of An Art Happening with local human rights activists, Jim Keyes and Helen Henderson. Part 1 took place in the Guildhall Square on November 12, and was a cryptic element of the Global Day of Action for COP 27. Part 2 will feature a film exhibit of Part 1, followed by oral contributions from both artists and a Q and A.

“On display outside Pilots’ Row all week will be an ‘Understanding our Rights’ public artwork by the young people from Pilots’ Row, Lincoln Court, Currynierin and Bishop Street youth clubs.

“There is also an exhibition taking place in Eden Place Arts’ Centre until Friday (December 9) from 10am to 6pm daily. Titled: ‘Pathways out of Extreme Poverty’ it is by Concern Worldwide and features images from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), highlighting how Concern’s Graduation Programme sustainably lifts families out of extreme poverty.

“We will also be screening ‘For Sama’ , a film by Waad Al-Kateab, in the Nerve Centre in Magazine Street, at 9pm on Friday (December 9), where admission is by donation. ‘For Sama’ is an intimate and epic journey into the war and a love letter from a mother to her daughter. It tells the story of Wadd Al-Kateab’s life through five years of the uprising in Aleppo in Syria, as she falls in love, gets married and gives birth to Sama, all while cataclysmic conflict rises around her,” said Judi.

In addition, The Human Rights Festival will host a ‘Write for Rights’ coffee morning, in Pilots’ Row, on Friday (December 9) from 11am to 1pm, with visitors able to drop in anytime.

Judi said: “Every year, millions of individuals write letters, sign petitions and organise events. And it works! People are freed, justice is served, and the world becomes a better place. Every action counts, and these people need your help.

“The Derry Human Rights Festival is proud to be a participant in this year’s ‘Write for Rights’ campaign. 

“We are inviting people to join us to take the opportunity to send a message of solidarity and support to someone whose human rights are being abused. 

“Everyone is welcome, pop in and have a fairtrade cuppa and write a letter to change a life. Foyle Fairtrade will be hosting a stall with Fairtrade goodies on sale at this event,” smiled Judi. 

Details of the full Derry Human Rights Festival can be found HERE.

For more information and to listen to podcasts created by Frontline Defenders, click on: www.derryhumanrightsfestival.org or contact Judi Logue at: info@edenplaceartscentre.com.