ORMEAU Park will be completely transformed this Saturday as the Belfast Carnival Village descends on its southern end.
Actors, musicians and numerous other entertainers will be taking part in the colourful family event which has been organised by arts company, Beat Carnival.
The organisation, which aims to promote carnival arts, was founded in 1993 by its current company director, David Boyd.
Boyd says that Beat Carnival initially started with an idea to create an arts centre in East Belfast.
“There was nothing there at the time in terms of facilities or venues for arts,” he recalls.
“We got hold of the former East Belfast YMCA building and set it up as an arts centre. Working with young people, I wanted to create more opportunities for artistic, and creative work in East Belfast.”
East Belfast has a largely unionist population with a strong tradition of flute bands and drumming.
Boyd explains that Beat Carnival wanted to use utilise this tradition in a more inclusive way.
“Drumming seemed to be one of the good ways to go forward, because if people were in involved in any kind of arts work or creative work, it was through flute bands,” he reveals.
“We did various types of drumming and that led to the wider carnival idea as something that could bring people together in Belfast.
"The important thing about it was that it didn’t have a connection to either 'side'. Drumming and parades are a big part of the culture and tradition, but carnival had the potential to be welcoming to everybody.”
Beat Carnival put on their first carnival parade in 1995 and the company have gone on to produce some of the cities iconic events such as the Lord Mayor’s parade, and even the St. Patrick’s day parade.
The events may be fun, but Boyd believes that they, and indeed the arts, have a much greater significance.
"There’s a very important social and community development aspect to it,” he says.
"Part of what we do in the arts as a whole is about encouraging and stimulating creativity in our country and in our communities.
"It’s very much needed here. We’re based in the greater Shankill area which is one of the most deprived areas in Northern Ireland.
"It has been recognised within the wider Shankill strategies that creativity need to be part of the regeneration and renewal plans."
The important contribution of the arts may be widely recognised by many, but Boyd says that there is still not enough funding for the arts in Northern Ireland.
"Compared to other parts of the UK and in Ireland the arts are not faring well here," he claims.
"There’s a lot less spent per head here, so it’s definitely a difficulty. We are disadvantaged in terms of the public funding."
Underfunding aside, Boyd is happy with what Beat Carnival have achieved over the years. He says that people from abroad are in awe of what they have achieved.
"We have a carnival arts centre, and that’s quite a special thing," he enthuses.
"We have people coming from London an other parts of England saying that there’s nothing quite like it there. People have come here from across the world to take part in our events."
And, as he explains, Belfast Carnival Village is the first event of its kind that they have produced:
"One of the important changes about this event is that it lets the audience experience carnival arts for a longer period, rather than just seeing the parade going past," says Boyd.
"We’ve got a whole afternoon and the audience can take part in the events and workshop.”
The Beat Carnival man also assures us that bad weather will not dampen the experience.
"People can expect and interactive experience, and they can expect sunshine," he laughs.
:: Belfast Beat Carnival, June 25, Ormeau Park, 12pm. See BeatCarnival.com for full information.
