Northern Ireland Community Relations Council

Marking Anniversaries

“Remembering the Future”

Welcome to the web page on Marking Anniversaries. The period 2012 -2023 marks a number of significant political events which have shaped the sense of British and Irish identity in the 20^th century. It is a decade of Ideas. The material on these web pages aims to assist in developing projects based on:

using the principles outlined;
researching the decade;
researching the part play by local people or finding out more about particular places;
working in partnership across councils, arts, museums and heritage; and
working with venues such as libraries, museum services and arts centres.

The Community Relations Council and Heritage Lottery Fund from late 2010 began working together in order to stimulateaconversation about Remembering in Public Space. As society engages with the legacies of this revolutionary period there is potential to reinforce the development of political and civic culture – engaging with culture and identity, rights, what we mean by democracy and the nature of political change. We may also be able to acknowledge the legacy of the decade and support engagement with the complexity of our history.

There are many other significant events that have shaped society and we do not seek to stop groups and communities remembering in their own way – however, we argue that there needs to be a contextualisation and discussion about how we remember periods and events and what the historic record tells us. So what sort of principles might help us all to steer through the complexities and sensitivities of remembering this decade? CRC and HLF would like to thank all those who commented on earlier drafts. In straight forward language we think the principles are:

Principles

1) Start from the historical facts;

2) Recognise the implications and consequences of what happened;

3) Understand that different perceptions and interpretations exist; and

4) Show how events and activities can deepen understanding of the period.

All to be seen in the context of an ‘inclusive and accepting society’

We provide useful links to organisations, highlight available resources in publications and DVDs , and make available discussion and guidance papers. The webpage also holds information on projects and approaches that may be adopted more widely. There is also an Up and Coming section.

To see brief texts from the lecture series 'Decade of Centenaries click here

To view videos of the Decade of Centenaries Lecture Series on YouTube click here

Please use the contact details below to add to the webpage (whether that is to add links, resources, papers) and to the Up and Coming section.

Contact

Deirdre Mac Bride
Programme Director – Cultural Diversity
Community Relations Council
6 Murray Street
Belfast BT1 6DN

Tel: 028 90 227500
Fax: 028 90 227551

email: dmacbride@nicrc.org.uk

www.nicrc.org.uk

Stella McDermott
Casework Manager
Heritage Lottery Fund Northern Ireland
51-53 Adelaide Street
Belfast
BT2 8FE

Telephone: 028 9031 0120
Fax: 028 9031 0121
Email: StellaM@hlf.org.uk and northernireland@hlf.org.uk

http://www.hlf.org.uk/inyourarea/NorthernIreland/Pages/WelcomeNorthernIreland.aspx