The EastSide of the Belfast is getting ready to celebrate the life and works of one of its literary greats – C.S. Lewis.  From 19 – 22 November, EastSide Arts and Connswater Community Greenway will present the 3rd C.S. Lewis Festival.  The Festival will not only showcase Lewis’ diverse works and legacy but his strong connections to his childhood home of east Belfast. Through a series of events and activities including talks, film, theatre, arts, crafts, readings, music, workshops, exhibitions, tours and literature – everyone is invited to open the wardrobe door to the world of C.S. Lewis.

Clive Lewis Staples, known to his friends as Jack, was ‘born and bred’ in east Belfast; a place he would often return to throughout his life. His works have inspired a huge number of adults, through his books on theology and literary criticism, and millions of children through his most well-known works The Chronicles of Narnia. A World War I soldier, a lecturer at Oxford and Cambridge, an expert in medieval and renaissance literature, poet, sci-fi writer and friend to another literary great – J.R.R. Tolkien – the festival will explore these facets of C.S. Lewis and especially his fond, life-long relationship with his childhood city.

Highlights of this year’s festival include the premiere of The Inklings at Belvoir Players Studio written by Roger Courtney and performed by The Clarence Players. The play will explore C.S. Lewis’ relationship and meetings with J.R.R. Tolkien, and other literary companions, as they shared and discussed each other works.  A range of tours (by bus, on foot or bike) will enable you to visit the places that inspired and influenced the young Jack. You can join the Nearly True walking tour with a difference at Lewis’ old school, Campbell College which promises fun for all the family or find out more about the new art planned for the C.S. Lewis Civic Square (Holywood Arches, east Belfast) by taking a bus trip to Burt, Co Donegal, where artist Maurice Harron will showcase and discuss the art pieces being developed.

There are lots of events for children too including; readings, arts, crafts and films. Join Tales for Toddlers at Campbell College; take your kids to help illustrator Paul Howard write and illustrate a special book featuring Narnian characters at Holywood Arches Library; or take part in the Aslan Clay Workshop at Strand Arts Centre where you can also watch FREE screenings of The Chronicles of Narnia – The Lion, Witch and The Wardrobe, Prince Caspian and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

Keep uptodate with all the comings and going on the C.S. Lewis Festival Facebook.

Chris Caldwell

Author: Chris Caldwell

Chris Caldwell at your service! My favourite things are eating and Theatre, I have 2 small sons called Alex and Max who are more mustard than Hellmann's. I spend my days trying to wrangle them and exploring my favourite city - BELFAST! My favourite films are horror, my fav music is metal and my favourite Beatle is Ringo, mainly his work on Thomas the Tank.