Narnia goes back to its roots at the inaugural C.S. Lewis Festival, set for Belfast from Dec. 2 to 11 to tie in with the Irish premiere of the film ”The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.”
The event will celebrate the life and works of Lewis, who was born in East Belfast in 1898, while also highlighting the influence of Northern Ireland on his novels. Local storytellers, artists and musicians will pay homage to the creator of the Narnia chronicles (whose East Belfast statue is pictured here) with performances drawing from folklore and myth. There will also be exhibitions, conferences and tours of parts of the city that influenced his writing. Highlights include the Narnia Lantern Parade; a complete, archived display of first editions and signed works, and a serialized reading of ”The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” on BBC Radio Ulster. ”Chronicles of Narnia,” a film by Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media, will be screened Dec. 8, with key cast members and filmmakers in attendance.
The event will be followed by a gala dinner in the Great Hall of Queen’s University. For a detailed program, telephone (44 28) 9027 0698 or e-mail 2006@belfastcity.gov.uk. (Tara Mulholland, IHT)