THE Irish News is proud to once again support Féile an Phobail as it celebrates its landmark 35th anniversary in 2023.
Over the years, Féile an Phobail has enjoyed a meteoric rise to become Ireland’s largest community arts festival, attracting thousands of visitors from near and far, with an increasingly international audience.
Rooted in the West Belfast community, the festival has grown immeasurably since 1988 to become an island-wide celebration of global culture, reflecting the changing societal landscape.
![Around 10,000 young people attended a Feile an Phobail dance night at the Falls Park on Monday night](https://www.irishnews.com/resizer/v2/KQXUCI54AVNDFAQ4YLM3VUITNQ.jpg?auth=6221447f200811fae1dddc4c2e2861a30fceb67f5fe8e0722ae0c578da5d2b87&width=800&height=533)
The Irish News has a mission to use its independent voice to play a positive role in society, informing conversations and inspiring debate by telling compelling stories, and the festival’s Debates and Discussions programme perfectly complements a shared vision to connect and challenge.
A longstanding partner to the festival, The Irish News is proud to play a central role in bringing this culturally rich aspect of the festival programme to growing audiences.
![Principal of St Mary's University College Peter Finn speaks at the launch of Feile an Phobail festival. Picture Mal McCann](https://www.irishnews.com/resizer/v2/WZDGNMZ575I7HCQW2C4NWQH364.jpg?auth=a760a8a9efa4d0019f7499668ebc046ad5c69a14071810c74d6602bccd632559&width=800&height=533)
Read more:Over 70 debates and discussions taking place during 35th Féile an PhobailExhibition of award-winning press photography to go on display during Féile an PhobailFéile an Phobail hail absence of anti-internment bonfires in Belfast
With over 70 events, bringing together voices from authors, poets, politicians, broadcasters, historians, socialists, activists and more, the programme is open to everyone to come along and listen, challenge and debate the issues that matter.
Everyone will be welcome to St Mary’s University College for 10 days of stimulating talks and debate from August 3-13 August. Covering a wide range of topics from politics and economics to human rights, culture and history, the Debates and Discussions programme serves to both educate and celebrate our diverse community through open and respectful conversation.
For more information on the programme, visit feilebelfast.com
![Féile's Joanna McMinn; Irish News events manager Geri Wright; St Mary's University College principal Professor Peter Finn; Feile Debates Committee members Claire Hackett and Jim Gibney; and Féile development manager Aine McCabe launching Féile's 2023 Debates and Discussions Programme.](https://www.irishnews.com/resizer/v2/TGXPOKASUNJDLI2HXHIEYEHJDI.jpg?auth=bc1db58fe593957e882ddd435bbc5f72e20d570d5e5f2a7ebb43b20895f19c19&width=800&height=600)