IT was a week of surprise, hope and smiles across Belfast and a common perception that this was glimpse of what we could be – and what we want “us” to be.
The Fleadh, with Féile, brought out the best of our city. And with that we now are asking questions of ourselves, and our potential.
For United Irelanders who have been saying that there is nothing to fear from an Ireland that is respectful of all traditions when we are determined to learn, facilitate and embrace us all, there was vindication. But that feels a bit crass and one-dimensional, because this was not a landing place, but rather a suggestion of our common interests. However, it is undoubtedly a landmark moment for a debate that presents reconciliation as a far-off and unachievable dream which must be realised before we consider planning for our collective constitutional future. It turns out we are way down that road already, but it looks different to the definitions imposed on us. Has last week shifted our debate towards recognising that we have nothing to fear from learning from each other and forging common purpose as we understand our common Irishness?
Seeing citizens and visitors of colour embraced, when only weeks ago they were under violent attack, was exceptionally relieving and encouraging. It was respite from the campaign of the populist far right who would tell us that we are under cultural attack, and proof that the opposite is the case: Irish culture flourishes when it embraces all that surrounds it.
Can we now plan a positive future embracing all identities and colours as part of a tapestry of our New Belfast and Ireland?
It was a moment when the Executive parties dropped the shoulders, and fun and smiles were rewarded, rather than the snarling smallness of DUP ministers who think their electoral futures lie in denying Irishness equality. Can this moment mark a new era for unionism with confident, genuine power-sharing where the gains for all backgrounds are appreciated, rather than engaging in zero-sum games of playing to the lowest common denominator?
For many, Belfast having clean streets was as revelatory as derelict buildings coming back to life and our streets being safe and fun, rather than menacing and scary. The question is now whether this is a portal into our collective future which can be closed, or a watershed of change where there is no going back?
Belfast has seen moments before, such as after the Primark building fire when the streets were reclaimed, pedestrianised and made family-friendly, only for the positivity to be reversed and before long we were dodging speeding buses again. Student tower blocks have not contributed to a thriving city environment after all; last week proved that we need families, pets and culture to do that. Can we shift those upstairs rooms in vacant buildings to being family homes with all of the vibrancy that actually creates life in a city? Or do we go back to hen nights and loud, ugly drinking bikes occupying our streets instead?
These questions and contributions are for all of us, not just the good people of the City Council. It would be great if bigger consultations and conversations on these themes across the border and island could be facilitated in the shape of a cultural convention that has lessons for far more.
