The 2023 edition of the Belfast International Festival of Performance Art was supported by the British Council and the Ukrainian Institute as part of the UK/Ukraine Season of Culture, The MAC Belfast, Ulster Museum and University of Atypical. This year’s edition hosted an extended art research residency at the Belfast School of Art, Ulster University featuring leading Ukrainian artists Yaryna Shumska and Andriy Helytovych.
Ukrainian performers at the BIFPA 2023
The 2023 edition of the Belfast International Festival of Performance Art was supported by the British Council and the Ukrainian Institute as part of the UK/Ukraine Season of Culture, The MAC Belfast, Ulster Museum and University of Atypical. This year’s edition hosted an extended art research residency at the Belfast School of Art, Ulster University featuring leading Ukrainian artists Yaryna Shumska and Andriy Helytovych.
Performance by Yaryna Shumska (2023) BIFPA, Belfast, N.Ireland photo by Sandra Johnston
In addition to performances held at the Belfast School of Art, Yaryna and Andriy spoke at a symposium, ‘Creativity + Conflict’ on 21 March at the Ulster Museum.
Participation in the UK/Ukraine Season of Culture provided an opportunity for Ukrainian artists to present their performances to over 750 audiences in Belfast, meet colleagues working at the University of Ulster, and share their professional and life experiences with the wider Northern Ireland arts community.
At the end of 2023, a catalogue of performances and research developed during Yaryna and Andrii’s stay at the Belfast School of Art, University of Ulster is planned to be published. The dialogue will focus on the outcomes of the Creativity + Conflict symposium and will draw on both the international field of artists who participated in the festival and the student contributions.
Belfast International Festival of Performance Art (BIFPA)
Northern Ireland’s leading showcase of contemporary performance art, platforming the best Irish and international performance artists to local and visiting audiences.