Northern Ireland: The Possibility of “Rememory” in Post-Conflict Belfast

Abstract

Following the Good Friday Agreements of 1998, the troubled Belfast, Northern Ireland, began its peace building process in order to stifle residual tensions between Unionist and Republican groups. Despite these efforts, ex-paramilitaries are still involved in local and state politics and paramilitary images are still present throughout the city. In addition, there have been small outbreaks of violence in the decade and a half after the agreements.
In an attempt to create a more positive atmosphere, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI) unveiled a Re-imaging Communities Project, which seeks to create works of public art that celebrate culture rather than conflict. Even still, can re-imaging a city re-image people? This question will be explored using personal interviews, the physicality of the city, and recent projects advocated by the Belfast City Council.