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Landmark CS Lewis Square to open in east Belfast this month

Chronicles of Narnia enthusiasts Maria Connolly as the White Witch and Ryan Peters as Edmund Pevensie get into character ahead of the CS Lewis Festival which coincides with the opening of the  landmark CS Lewis Square and runs in east Belfast from November 18 to 22 
Chronicles of Narnia enthusiasts Maria Connolly as the White Witch and Ryan Peters as Edmund Pevensie get into character ahead of the CS Lewis Festival which coincides with the opening of the landmark CS Lewis Square and runs in east Belfast from No Chronicles of Narnia enthusiasts Maria Connolly as the White Witch and Ryan Peters as Edmund Pevensie get into character ahead of the CS Lewis Festival which coincides with the opening of the landmark CS Lewis Square and runs in east Belfast from November 18 to 22 

A NEW public space celebrating the life of one of Belfast's most famous writers is to open later this month.

The landmark CS Lewis Square is currently being built at the intersection of the Connswater and Comber Greenways on the outskirts of east Belfast and will have the capacity for around 2,000 people.

It will feature seven sculptures based on characters from the Lewis classic, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, with the official opening due to take place on November 22, the anniversary of his death.

The opening of the £2.5 million square celebrates the strong links the Belfast-born writer had to the east of the city. Born in in Dundela Avenue in 1898, he was baptised by his grandfather, rector of the nearby St Mark's Church of Ireland.

He spent much of his early childhood at his family home, just off the Holywood Road. Following his mother's death when he was just nine, Lewis was sent to boarding school in England, but still maintained strong links with Belfast.

The square is also part of the £40 million Connswater Community Greenway project creating a 9km linear park in the city, which it is hoped will also revitalise inner east Belfast.

Belfast's latest public space, the CS Lewis Square will open later this month
Belfast's latest public space, the CS Lewis Square will open later this month Belfast's latest public space, the CS Lewis Square will open later this month

Around 300 trees have been planted around the square and there are also new railway tracks, arches and façade art around the development.

Seven new sculptures of the characters Aslan, Maugrim, Mr and Mrs Beaver, the Robin, White Witch, Stone Table and Mr Tumnus, which have been created by Irish artist Maurice Harron will be unveiled at the event which takes place on November 22 at 6pm and ends when the character Aslan is revealed to the public.

Meanwhile, the EastSide Arts festival, now in its fourth year, will celebrate the life of the literary great from November 18 to 22.

The life of CS Lewis will be celebrated in a series of events and activities including talks, film, theatre, arts, crafts, readings, music, workshops, exhibitions, tours, children’s activities and spoken word events.

:: For more information visit www.eastsidearts.net