Queen’s is at the centre of social and cultural life in Belfast. The University is home of the Ulster Bank Festival at Queen’s, an international arts festival held each autumn. Covering all art forms including theatre, dance, classical music, comedy, visual arts, the Festival attracts over 80,000 visitors.
As part of the city’s transformation Belfast Film Festival has been to the forefront of championing cultural film exhibition. Among this year’s highlights was a Spotlight on Indian film series, featuring Adoor Gopalakrisnan, one of India’s finest contemporary filmmakers, who hosted a panel discussion at the University’s very own cinema, the Queen’s Film Theatre.
In the past the University has also hosted the Gandhi,King,Ikeda peace builders’ international exhibition, profiling the lives and contribution of India's Mahatma Gandhi, the American civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jnr and Japan's Daisaku Ikeda , who have each made a significant impact through peaceful protest for the cause of human rights.
Another event, growing in popularity, is the Belfast Mela, a traditional Indian summer international festival in Botanic Gardens, right beside the University, which celebrates people coming together to enjoy a fun-filled day of different activities such as sharing food, music, dance, cultural, art and fashion.
Organised by ArtsEkta more than 11,000 people attended last year’s event. The 2009 Mela will be held on 30 August.
You’ll find plenty of support and assistance from a number of organisations, aimed at promoting Indian culture and traditions in Northern Ireland.
ArtsEkta is Northern Ireland’s only multi-ethnic, International arts organisation which promotes and supports multicultural arts and artists in the community.
The South Asian Students Society is open to students, staff and family members, while the Indian Community Centre offers a variety of activities throughout the year for all age groups.
Northern Ireland is home to around 1,500 Indians. A close-knit community, the first generation arrived back in the 1930s and over the years have established themselves as leading figures in the Indian community in Northern Ireland.
Among them is Lord Diljit Rana, India’s honorary consul in Belfast and a member of the House of Lords in the UK Parliament. Having left the Punjab in 1963 today he is a successful property developer and hotelier, chair of Andras House Ltd, the biggest hotel group in Belfast.
Dr. Rana, who was awarded an honorary degree from Queen’s for services to business and commerce, has been involved with the overseas Indian community for a long time. He promotes business links between India and Northern Ireland and is the former president of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce.