Walking around what should be the cultural heart of Belfast city, I stop under the red and white sign that says "Arcade" on North Street. The place is a sorry sight.
The 1930 Art Deco shopping centre burnt down 20 years ago and the ruins lie behind a dirty facade. This place was once a hidden gem in the underground scene with Teri Hooley's Record Shop, Iconic.
My friend Robert Henry sat in an esoteric crystal studio with his tarot deck. Tails of gridwork, trips to Glastonbury, and a library of unusual music, books and mind-blowing concepts.
The Arcadia Cafe with its Druidic aesthetic and performance poetry nights. Many characters congregated in the arcade and although not a thriving hub, it was the gathering point for all the outside-the-box thinkers and emerging artists. An urban space for people who want to mentally shop for something beyond the normal. Everyone else was physically shopping in Belfast's bustling Royal Avenue.
The Green Marble walls and Art Deco lamps harboured a centre circle that was perfect for gigs and performances. I used to try out my new material in this space.
Walking south on North Street past "Danger Keep Out" signs on bricked-up buildings. The Assembly Rooms, an impressive facade dominates an intersection of four roads. The weight of history oozes from its alluring presence. From Henry Joy McCracken to Bunting's manuscripts and Bardic Harper Story. Looking up at the building I can see, the melodies still reverberate within those walls. Boarded up, with buddleia growing out of the roof. The neglect is palpable.
This was the venue for the 1792 Belfast Harpers Assemble. In a bid to preserve the dwindling art form, Bunting notated the music of 10 harpers to document their composition and style. The Bunting manuscripts form the bedrock of traditional harp music in Ireland. I played my harp originals in this building 10 years ago. How can we let developers buy this building and neglect it beyond repair?
The Assembly Rooms is a space of public interest and should belong to the people of Belfast.
It needs to be nothing more than what it was.
Turning the corner to Waring Street. Belfast looks like a war zone.
I mean it looked better when it WAS a war zone. Now it IS a war zone.
A war on the people.
Behind every dirty spray-painted shutter are the broken hearts of the business that went bust.
Access to our city is stripped away.
One business at a time.
One building at a time.
One parking space at a time.
One street at a time.
Soon we will own nothing.
Access Denied.
Tell it to the hand of Big Brother.
Look at St Georges Market. Parking spaces gradually eroded. The stall traders are impacted by red coats lurking on every corner. How much does the Department of Infrastructure spend on red coats and implementing an aggressive anti-parking policy? Could that money be better used to support businesses and regenerate? They penalise the people for trying to get their equipment to work. This impacts market staff and every worker with equipment. It impacts the income for the bottom of the ladder self-employed. That is where I dwell, low-income, long-term self-employed. Living from gig to gig. Living from parking ticket to parking ticket. Always on the edge. It impacts me - daily. Belfast has become hostile.
Belfast is suffering from years of impacted neglect. The Cathedral Quarter should be the jewel in our crown, a thriving hub of living art, stories, buildings, people, businesses, characters and artists that celebrate our culture while moving it forward. We are tomorrow's history and we are being choked.
My heart is broken for Belfast. It should be so beautiful. Our cultural history is unclaimed and unacknowledged. Where architecture, history and culture meet is a BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY. This is a global interest story. This is our heritage. This is our loss.
Our harp story should make us the epicentre of harp excellence, not only in Belfast but In Ireland, Europe and the World. Ireland is the only country in the world with a harp as its symbol. Belfast's harp festival makes Belfast a central character in Ireland's story. Northern Ireland's unique position should be an asset. Tourists from all over the world could travel to Belfast for the harp story alone. Presently they pity us. There is nothing to see, nowhere to go and the story is not told. There is no focus. The cultural value is business value. Harp is important. How can this be overlooked?
Space in the city is now being denied to the working people of Belfast. Not only are we penalised by high fines and lack of parking but the lanes are reduced causing gridlock. Then, the propaganda machine kicks in. The message is clear: do not drive; do not take up space; do not use space. Soon access will disappear altogether. The heart is gone. As a Belfast Harpist, it has become impossible to work in our city centre. I need access. I have stopped accepting harp gigs in my home city. What would Bunting think? What is the cultural value placed on this work? Zero - Net Zero.
I didn't understand Brexit so I didn't vote on it. I still don't understand it. I thought we left the EU? Why are our policies seemingly from the WEF Net Zero handbook? Is it because the politicians are bought by WEF? This is a genuine question. I don't know anything about politics. "They will own nothing and be happy" is obviously in full force in Belfast. The totalitarian tip-toe has broken into a sprint. A faceless thief in broad daylight has stolen the city from the people.
The question is can we get it back? Can we turn this around?
Can we get Belfast on a better timeline?
I have written a letter to the Department of Infrastructure.
Can you help?
IDEA JAM - SOLUTIONS
A possible vision for the resuscitation of the cultural heart of Belfast City
From the Arcade to the Assembly Rooms.........
1 THE ASSEMBLY ROOMS
Restored to former glory.
Public facing harp-centric building that communicates the history of Harp in Ireland through aesthetics and art. Museum style. The telling of the bardic Harpers Story, The Bunting /Belfast Story. Anything else that is relevant to the space and story.
We create a Musical Conference Centre that includes multipurpose spaces for workshops, shows, concerts, gigs, tours and festivals. We work with all the interested people and groups. This space is for the people of Belfast. It is a musical-themed multi-purpose harp-centric conference space. A central music hub for the city. The Harp Heritage in Ireland is the central theme. The space is for all groups who have an interest in Harp and History. It is possible we could branch it out to include the Ken Hopkins Accordion Museum and The Accordion Story. Or not - all People who have an interest in the building would have input.
2 A BOUTIQUE HOTEL where comfort meets history and art with the harper-themed vision driven by Melonie Harrison. The 10 harpers that attended the festival detailed along with Bunting in the decor.
3 A MUSIC-THEMED IRISH HOSTLE to make the Assembly rooms accessible to travellers from around the world and artists on all budgets. The old Irish pub and business model The Achill Island Valley Hostel
Can accommodate larger groups of Harpists/ Musicians.
4 THE ARCADE restored to its former glory. Needs to be nothing more than what it was. Rebuilt in the original shape and 1930s style.
This space houses Public facing workspaces for musicians, instrument makers, crafts people. Public facing workshops. The tour operators would have offices within the wider complex
5 LOCALISED SMALL INDEPENDANT BUSINESSES encouraged to Waring Street by tax breaks and accessibility. Nurture coffee shops, bars, and independent retail and craft shops, record shops. Affordable parking with coin machines (not high tech data driven extortion) and unloading accommodated. When the Main Arcade and Assembly Rooms are restored, everything else will naturally follow.
The Structure
Each building, business venue/ space is managed separately by experienced business experts.
The bosses from the Four Major Buildings form a central steering team. They hold a vision and overall aesthetic for the harping heart of Belfast City. Each unit is self-contained within the wider area.
The buildings keep the original design concept and this contributes to the museum aspect.
THE MISSION
1 Belfast can claim its harp heritage anchored by architecture and history.
2 Belfast claims its harping identity and takes its place in the Irish Story.
3 Strengthen links between North and South Ireland
4 The Building unifies North, South, East and West of Belfast City
5 Business is stimulated through culture, art and architecture.
6 Artists, Musicians and Harpists have a place in the city
7 Culture is nurtured, preserved, monetised and advanced.
8 Harp focused tourism. People travel to Belfast because of its harp heritage and centre of harp excellence.
9 To establish the Belfast Harp Festival as a yearly event in its original home venue.
10 Boost the morale of a neglected city.
11 Form strong links with existing Arts organisations like Oh Yeah and Festivals like CQAF etc
12 Strong links to existing businesses in the CQ ie Duke of York / Watermans Black Box etc
13 To Beautify Belfast.
14 To restore access and magnetise people to the heart of Belfast
15 To place Belfast on the Global map as a Beautiful, Cultural, Fun, Vibrant Friendly, Welcoming Destination.
I am on a knife edge with my home town.
I want my son to leave. I want to leave.
I don't want us to leave.
Can you imagine if the investors created a table and met the people half-way?
The Assembly Rooms, its four corners to the north, south, east and west should be the jewel in the crown of Belfast.
I love Belfast. I want it to be Beautiful. It deserves better.
The People deserve better.
In the depths of this winter, I am dreaming for this city
I am dreaming of these people from the past
I am dreaming for these people of the future
I am a harper, every note I play, can dream this to be........
Solstice Blessings
Yours
Ursula Burns
The Dangerous Harpist
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