2023
The Linen Biennale 2023 was a three-month festival of heritage, arts, craft and design. It included exhibitions and installations, discussions, masterclasses, and performances which took place across Northern Ireland.
Linen and flax production are inextricably linked to the social, agricultural, and industrial heritage of Northern Ireland. The themes of 2023 consciously overlaped and interwove. The intention was to Revive: return to life and consciousness; the Linen Biennale itself after a five-year hiatus; and also linen’s place in Northern Ireland’s story. Through this process, and by building networks and collaborative partnerships, we aimed to Renew our collective understanding of and appreciation for linen’s legacy – its current value and its enormous potential as a sustainable material of the future.
As part of our commitment to sustainability, the Linen Biennale encourages all our visitors, artists and participants to use public transport whenever possible when reaching event locations featured in our 2023 programme.
Visit the Translink website to plan your journey. Life’s Better Connected.
Evaluation
As per our grant conditions with The National Lottery Hertiage Fund the Linen Biennale 2023 was independently evaluated for impact against the project objectives.
The Evaluation Report and Executive Summary documents can be accessed here.
There are a number of very special and exciting projects happening which don’t quite fit any of the above categories.
Special Projects
Longest Linen Tablecloth
We’re on a mission to make the ‘Longest Linen Tablecloth’ and have commissioned textile artist Emma Whitehead to begin the design process in 2023. Find out how to take part!
Flax Paper Labs
With visiting artist Regine Neumann. Multiple dates and ways to get involved over the month of August and updates as the project develops.
Toile de Jouy Print on Linen
Community Groups across Northern Ireland are exploring Toile de Jouy Print techniques on on paper and linen facilitated by artist Robert Peters.
Field to Fabric
The Ulster Guild of Weavers, Spinners, and Dyers will work their magic at Mallon Linen at the very special ‘Field to Fabric’ event, 26th & 27th August, transforming home-grown flax to fabric.
Flax and Fibres Day
The ‘Flax and Fibres Celebration Day’ at Moneydarragh Hub takes place on 1st September and features speakers and demos from the history of linen production to the makers and designers working with it today.
Linen in The Mournes
The Hilltown Community Association and friends are having a special focus on linen this year with events in August, September and October.
Linen Biennale & East Block Fashion
A special collaboration with the quarterly fashion market taking place on 21st September in Banana Block, Belfast. We’ll be showcasing designer-makers championing linen in their work.
Staged Reading of Halftimers
Centre Stage Theatre Company’s staged reading of ‘Halftimers’, a play written by the late Roma Tomelty about the lives of children working in a Belfast’s linen mill.
Endangered Species List 481
‘Endangered Species List 481’ is a land art installation by artist Rosalind Lowry, highlighting Northern Ireland’s endangered species. Special tribute will also be paid to our linen industry, also sadly at risk.
Flax Friends
We’re building a community of volunteers to help support and deliver this year’s programme of events which take place across Northern Ireland during August, September and October.
Why not drop us a line and find out more about how you can get involved and what we can offer you in terms of experiences or training.
Programme Overview
Download our programme booklet for a handy overview of the Linen Biennale’s selection of events and background into why it’s important to celebrate our linen heritage.
For a full list of events be sure to check out our listings above.