IT has been dubbed the 'festival of Brexit', but it seems the £120m UK-wide celebration planned for 2022 is trying hard not to mention the B-word.
When Theresa May announced a “Festival of Britain and Northern Ireland” in 2018 it was mocked on social media, with people suggesting it could involve games of 'pin the blame on the Remainer'.
Leading Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg called for a 'festival of Brexit' to celebrate leaving the EU.
At the time, the prime minister said it would help to strengthen 'our precious union', with events to take place across Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales.
Concerns were raised about the timing, given the upcoming centenary of Ireland's partition and uncertainty around Brexit's implications for the border.
But last year Boris Johnston gave the plan the green light, which is now being referred to as simply ‘Festival 2022'.
In fact the organisers have told The Irish News it is “not designed to mark or celebrate our withdrawal from the European Union”.
During a video call last week, creative industries across Northern Ireland were told how to pitch for money to help bring a bit of 'joy and happiness' to communities..
One participant said: "Brexit wasn't mentioned once. They are Brexit-washing the whole thing.
"It is about making people feel good about living where they live. Feeling proud. We were told to think 2012 Danny-Boyle London Olympics opening ceremony, or the 2008 Olympic Beijing lights."
The Irish News understands that 30 creative teams across the UK will be awarded initial research and development money of £100,000 and 10 will be shortlisted for grants of between £4-10 million.
Arts should be a part of the team and ideally collaborate with representatives from Stem (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).
The UK government has allocated a budget of £120m, including £22.8m to the devolved administrations, and an independent company has been established in Birmingham.
Earlier this year, Festival 2022 director Martin Green said the aims would be to bring the UK together, showcase British creativity, and on a basic level bring some “joy, hope and happiness”.
Mr Green was chief executive and director of Hull UK City of Culture 2017, and also head of ceremonies for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
He told The Guardian there is "no doubt that money has been made available because this country is exiting the European Union, there is no getting away from that".
“There is also no doubt that we have been through a particularly divisive time in the discourse of our daily lives, and as we go forward, let’s see how the great creativity and ingenuity of the UK can help refind that common ground," he said.
One person from Northern Ireland who intends to pitch for the money, but who voted to Remain in the EU, told The Irish News why they want to be part of it.
“People are dejected, because of Brexit and because of Covid-19. This is an opportunity through the power of arts to get them proud of what we can achieve in Northern Ireland. I want to be part of it.”
Mr Green told the BBC: "A project might last a day or a year. It may be one big act or 10 million tiny acts."
"The pitching process is deliberately not restricted to established names. "By doing it as an open call, we make sure that it's not just the usual suspects," Mr Green says. "We're insisting that new talent is platformed, that there's greater representation in the teams."
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: "This investment will support jobs and create new work across these sectors in all four corners of the UK as we help our cultural and creative industries recover from the coronavirus pandemic.
"This investment comes at a time of particular need and marks the beginning of a process of development for inspirational projects that have mass appeal. As we look towards a near-future that will mark the transition into recovery, we look forward to a time when people will feel able to celebrate pride in communities and the places they call home."
Further information including criteria for funding is available at www.festival2022.uk.
