Taking place on September 21 at the Smithfield Village Square, Dublin, the sixth edition of the BlueFire Street Fest is set to embrace a whole new purpose.

A non-profit social enterprise, its long-standing mission so far has been to promote social integration and cohesion amongst young Dubliners across all cultural backgrounds.

Supported by its funders, the Arts Council and Dublin City Council, the festival has now refocused its artistic vision and expanded its team so it can explore a new direction.

This year's edition will see "the festival and its community of young change-makers embrace a wider public discourse, exploring the impacts we have upon each other and on our planet," says the event's press release.

It will feature the 'Global Village' food and crafts market and 'Health and Harmony' wellbeing fair, as well as a music and performing arts tent, street art murals and a speakers corner, an engaging talks and workshops programme, open dance classes, community group performances and a night time projection event.

Taking place the day after Culture Night, the BlueFire Street Fest will allow for a full weekend of arts engagement.

Photograph taken during a past edition of the event. Courtesy of Bluefire Street Fest.

It will also coincide with the International Day of Peace, whose 2019 focus is Climate Action, as well as with the 150th Anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi.

To honour these significant events, the festival's programme is set to focus a lot on the idea of peace-making. For a start, it will open with the 'Midday Global Minute of Silence' held by the Lord Mayor of Dublin and members of the Tibetan Buddhist Centre.

The full programme for the event is currently being prepared, with the team working with various artists, community groups, speakers, facilitators and partners, such as cultural organisations, NGOs and campaign groups.

Programme proposals under the theme of Peace|People + Planet can be submitted until 1st September, by contacting Jody and Jess at [email protected].

The festival organisers are seeking volunteers to help present the festival on the day. If you are interested please contact Anna Laura: [email protected].

They are also seeking a small team of volunteers in the lead up to the festival to help with final programme co-ordination. Please contact Jody and Jess for more info on: [email protected].

The BlueFire Festival is a free event so no tickets are required.
Full programme details will be available on bluefiredublin.ie on 2nd September.