Seamus Heaney Home

Line up announced for JLF 2019

Gandhi’s granddaughter, Mrs Tara Gandhi Bhattacharjee, to headline JLF festival on Sunday 23rd June at Seamus Heaney HomePlace, Bellaghy.

The discussion will take place in the renowned Helicon theatre at Seamus Heaney HomePlace, Bellaghy on Sunday 23rd June as part of a series of four events across the afternoon. Mrs Gandhi Bhattacharjee will speak to Indian diplomat and translator Navdeep Suri on the vision of Mahatma Gandhi, his genius, his human vulnerability, and the enduring legacy of non-violence that he bequeathed to a troubled world.

On the announcement Councillor Martin Kearney, Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, commented:

“Mid Ulster District Council is delighted that Seamus Heaney HomePlace has been chosen as one of the Jaipur Literary Festival international destinations, standing alongside cities like New York, Toronto, Houston and now also Belfast. HomePlace has attracted visitors from across the globe since it opened and being part of what is known as the world’s biggest literary festival cements its international reputation. Indeed, to host Mrs Tara Gandhi Bhattacharjee, granddaughter of one of world’s most revered and respected politicians, social activists and writers, is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the festival in Bellaghy, and a rare opportunity to hear about ‘the father of India’ from someone with such a deep personal connection and knowledge”.

Tara Gandhi Bhattacharjee was born in 1934 in New Delhi to the youngest son of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Devadas and is the window of Dr. Juoti Prasad Bhattacharjee, a well-known economist.

Of her grandfather she has said: “The fearlessness of Gandhi was different. His was made of love and compassion. I remember his room, his doors always open. One hardly had to take an appointment to meet him. I remember politicians coming out of the room saying they disagree with his view. They probably didn’t change their view, but did become his friend for sure. That’s the fearlessness we need today.”

As part of a packed afternoon, Seamus Heaney HomePlace will host other prominent writers and poets including Reba Som, Basabi Fraser, Ruth Padel, Eric Ngalle Charles, Gearóid Mac Lochlainn, Sudeep Sen, Francis Jones and many more.

JLF Belfast will recreate the magnificent atmosphere of the legendary Jaipur Literature Festival in India when it comes to the region for the first time on 21-23 June, with a packed weekend of events at Seamus Heaney HomePlace, Bellaghy and The Lyric Theatre, Belfast.

Hosted in partnership with the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, British Council Northern Ireland and the Festival’s producers, Teamwork Arts, JLF Belfast will bring a true spirit of the original festival, hailed as one of the greatest literary shows on earth.

The festival features readings, panel discussions and debates with acclaimed writers and cultural thinkers from India, Ireland and the UK, gathered to share each other’s stories in a celebration of books, poems, creativity, ideas, food and music. Themes under discussion across the weekend will include Borders, Food, Gender, Peace and Non-violence, Women and Freedom, Mythology and Looking into the Future: Artificial Intelligence.

Tickets are priced at £25 and are now available via the box office on 02879387444 or here and will cover admission to all four events across the afternoon.

Full Programme of events for JLF Belfast 2019 – Seamus Heaney HomePlace
1.30pm – 2.00pm Music
Morning with Mostiques by Harpreet

2.15pm-3.15pm Gandhi in Times of Violence
Tara Gandhi Bhattacharjee in conversation with Navdeep Suri

3.30pm-4.30pm Mystic and the Muse: Yeats and Tagore
Reba Som, Bashabi Fraser and Ruth Padel in conversation with Sudeep Sen

4.45pm-5.45pm Vowels Ploughed into Other
Eric Ngalle Charles, Gearóid Mac Lochlainn, Sudeep Sen and Francis Jones in conversation with Ruth Padel