'We want to celebrate all those who have struggled and found support for their mental health, and those who work to support and empower others...' First Fortnight CEO Maria Fleming introduces a very special event for this year's First Fortnight Mental Health Art & Culture Festival, to celebrate Nollaig na mBan.
Given the disruption of the last two years, the First Fortnight Mental Health Art and Culture Festival are focusing on the positive for 2023.
We want to gather in person and experience again connection with others as part of an audience. What have we missed during the absence of live performance? What level of connection can attending live performance bring?
A study by University College London (UCL) found that the thrill of a live theatre performance causes audience members to synchronise their heart beats.
The heart beats of complete strangers will react in synch to scenes of heightened emotion, and resume their co-ordination after experiencing a dip during the interval. A deep emotional response to a show can lead to new friendships after the final curtain. Heart synchronisation causes people to bond and like each other more, the study found.
First Fortnight are pleased to offer opportunities for audience connection this January.
On January 6th, Nollaig na mBan, we have an event entitled Celebration of Hope at Dublin's Smock Alley Theatre. Nollaig na mBan – Women's Christmas or little Christmas, it is also known as Bright Night and the last day or twelfth day of Christmas. Whatever title you give it and whichever traditions you follow, the common theme is celebration.
Erica Cody, host of RTE’s The Main Stage headlines this celebratory night. Erica has generously shared in the past of how she worked to move past dark times, she hopes sharing her experience will help others. Her EP Love & Light reflects on this.
Erica will be joined by Barbara Brennan, co-ordinator of See Change, who has inspired so many. Barbara shares: "I am grateful at this moment in time to have already experienced some of the darkest places that exist. I am lucky that I have already had the most difficult challenges in my life having overcome a decade and a half of severe and enduring mental illness. I know those experiences will help me to support others and guide them in ways that they don’t even know they need yet".
What's your promise to yourself this 2023?
— See Change (@SeeChangeIRL) January 3, 2023
If you're a supporter of someone experiencing #mentalhealth difficulties, one of the ways you can support them is to listen. People often want to talk but may be unsure of what to say. Let them know you're there. #PromiseOneForChange pic.twitter.com/XPQHLUPMj9
Sharing the stage also is Robert Grace, whose hit Fake Fine which achieved platinum status summed up the year that was 2020 perfectly and lyrically was largely influenced by the experience of living through a pandemic.
We in First Fortnight believe there is an audience appetite for hope and celebration, and we are offering both of these in January. For 2023, we are looking at a focus on the positive outcomes of stigma reduction which is the primary aim of our First Fortnight Festival. We are delivering events that focus on offering tools, solutions and opportunities for people to gather together in solidarity and compassion and continue to strive for improvements around stigma reduction.
We want to celebrate all those who have struggled and found support for their mental health, and those who work to support and empower others. Come join us.
A Celebration of Hope on Nollaig na mBan is at Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin, on January 6th - find out more here.
The First Fortnight Mental Health Art & Culture Festival runs from January 6th - 15th - find out more about this year's programme here.
