Agenda item

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report

1.1       To consider a request for the Herstory International Light Festival for the use of City Hall façade and grounds for an illumination project on Sunday 2nd February 2020.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is recommended to;

·        approve the application for use of the City Hall for this unique illumination and projection event.

3.0       Main report

3.1       Background

            The Herstory Light Festival is an annual global event celebrating women and equality. The 2020 Herstory Light Festival takes place over Friday 31st January – Monday 3rd February 2020.

3.2       The 2020 Herstory Light Festival will feature a special celebration of Northern Ireland’s peace heroines and the United Nations Headquarters in New York will be illuminated in their honour.

3.3       ‘Women's achievements and struggles have been lost in the shadows for too long, resulting in global inequality and a regression of women's rights. That's why Herstory is harnessing the alchemical power of light, to celebrate women and equality, spotlight inequality, and create visions for a World of Equals.’ - Melanie Lynch, Founder of Herstory

3.4       The project will:

1.      raise awareness of the achievements of women in Northern Ireland

2.      encourage support for women in Northern Ireland

3.      inspire and motivate young people

4.      bring community groups together

5.      increase an appreciation for the role of the arts

3.5       Key Issues

            Herstory organisers seek permission to project portrait façade on the evening of 2nd February 2020.

3.6       A specialised company called Nightlight from Dublin will manage the project and linked in with Council’s Property Maintenance Unit in terms of the Council’s illumination system.  A special 10,000 lumen laser projector will be placed in City Hall grounds and a small crew will be onsite to manage the projection from 6pm to 10pm.

3.7       The portraits for illumination are the creation of artists, Belfast College of Art students and school children in NI. The artwork will cover the following themes: mythology and ancient goddesses; remarkable NI women from the sectors of science, arts, sport; ‘everywoman’ the unsung heroines of our everyday life- mother, grandmother, aunt, friend; and the NI Peace Heroines.

3.8       The final illuminations will be based on the quality of the artwork and the technical illumination process.

3.9       Renowned local artist Colin Davidson has confirmed his involvement with the project and some of his famous portraits will be illuminated and projected onto City Hall.

3.10      The project and event will be supported by a marketing campaign with public along with participating groups and schools invited to City Hall grounds to view the portraits projected onto City Hall.

3.11      Herstory organisers, along with Women in Business, hope to host a reception in City Hall on the evening of 2nd February 2020 to acknowledge the support and involvement of various group to deliver Herstory. An application for use of City Hall function rooms has been received and will be presented in the monthly function report for committee approval.

3.12      Financial and Resource Implications

            There will be no cost to the Council in approving this request and no charge to the organisers for use of the City Hall grounds and façade.

3.13      Equality or Good Relations Implications/

            Rural Needs Implications

            This proposal will assist the Council meeting its equality and diversity aspirations.”

            The Committee adopted the recommendations.