Colors of Belfast - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

Without a doubt, the Belfast Maritime Festival is one of Belfast's most exciting events. You can get to it on the second weekend of July. Events start at 10:00 and end at 22:00 on Saturday. The festival also starts at 10:00 on Sunday. But it ends at 16:00. The first Belfast Maritime Festival was held back in 1973. About five dozen sailboats from all over the world take part in the sea festival every year. There are ships built quite recently here. There are also those ships that have a rich history. Some of the ships look like they sailed to Belfast straight from Hollywood movies or historical novels about pirates: Jolly Roger, rope rigging, cannons with balls. Of course, weapons are not real. But they still look impressive. You can view and even touch all of this. Anyone can step on the deck of a sailboat he likes. It is allowed to look in the hold and even in the captain's cabin and on the bridge on some ships. You can also take a look at the interior of cruise ships during the festival. They invariably dock in Belfast these days.

Belfast Maritime Festival is not only an opportunity to admire old and not so old sailboats and the beginning of a regatta. It is also a great time for the whole family. There is a lot of entertainment like master classes in drawing or modeling for children and adults here. You can take a photo with an animator in a pirate costume or watch the wonders of coordination among artists on stilts. Many shops and kiosks for those who are hungry open at this time near the embankment. You can taste both native Irish dishes and popular treats from all over the world, such as pizza or hamburgers. You can visit the Belfast Maritime Festival absolutely for free.

You can see huge piles of garbage, as well as signs and banners beginning with the words "Remember 1690!" all over the city on July 12. Festivities and debauchery take place on the streets at this time. Some residents of the city try to spend time away from their small homeland. The reason for temporary insanity lies in religious differences. William III defeated the Catholic King James II at the battle of the Boyne on 12 July 1690. Most residents in Northern Ireland have been Protestant since then, unlike the rest of the island. Not all residences celebrate St. Patrick's Day for the same reason here. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

In general, religious differences do not prevent local residents from contacting their neighbors. For example, the international children's theater festival-competition "Friendly Planet" is regularly held in Dublin and Belfast. Dozens of children's troupes from Ireland, Great Britain, Bulgaria, and Germany take part in it. A unique feature of the festival is that its participants are somehow connected with Russian culture. These are children of Russian-speaking immigrant communities. The festival's productions are intertwined with Russian fairy tales, myths, and literary works.

If you prefer music festivals, you should visit the summer international Blues Festival. Famous musicians from all cities of the UK and neighboring countries come to it, as well as to the International Jazz Festival. Aspiring talented performers also come to Belfast at this time. This event is a chance for them to become famous and find new fans.

If you prefer contemporary art, perhaps you should visit the Audio Visual Arts Festival. The main theme of the event is the relationship between electronic music and the visual arts. Concerts of famous performers of the electronic scene are arranged as part of the festival. Sessions devoted to research on the possibilities of combining sound and visual images are also held at this time. Of course, selling the latest records of popular musicians is an integral part of the event. Another festival is also held here. The pleasure of music comes in contact with other emotions, in this case – with the pleasure of fine taste. The Folk Music and Beer Festival provides an opportunity to enjoy the sounds of traditional Irish melodies, as well as taste the results of the work of the best brewers in the UK.

You should also visit the Festival of Fools. It is celebrated from May 2 to May 6 here. The streets of Belfast are filled with comedians, mimes, clowns, actors and acrobats at this time. Comedians perform in bars and restaurants. Costumed parades and processions regularly pass through the streets. For example, you may encounter a crowd of actors dressed as gorillas. They will treat a passer-by with a banana, make a wry face, or even drag him away in an unknown direction.