Belfast Mela – Shared Words, Shared Worlds, 22 August 2025
Don’t miss the Belfast Mela illuminating panel event exploring the deep cultural and literary resonances between Ireland and India — two nations shaped by the legacy of British colonialism, and whose writers have long grappled with questions of identity, resistance, and cultural hybridity.
This unique discussion will trace the intertwined literary journeys of both countries, examining how writers like Rabindranath Tagore and W.B. Yeats sought to reclaim national identity through poetry, storytelling, and cultural revival.
From themes of language and legacy to postcolonial expression, our panel will reflect on how shared historical experiences have birthed powerful literary traditions that continue to resonate across continents.
Following an introductory talk from Indian artist-in-residence Dr. Sanjukta Dasgupta, a panel discussion will be chaired by Professor M. Satish Kumar, Dean of Queen’s University Belfast – GIFT Campus, with contributions from, Dr. SĂobhra Aiken, specialist in Irish and Gaelic Studies and Alicia McAuley, Belfast-based writer specialising in Anglo-Irish literature
Whether you’re passionate about literature, history, or the cultural intersections between Ireland and India, this is an afternoon not to be missed.