PORTLAND’s b-side festival, which this year runs from Thursday 5th to Sunday 8th September, has the theme Who Do We Think We Are? – telling some of the many stories that make up the lives of the residents and visitors of the mysterious island, exploring its history and culture in many different art forms and media, including visual arts, film, poetry, music and
It’s a magical place, no stranger to the topics of migration and identity, and most recently in the news as the island has been home to the floating asylum containment site, the Bibby Stockholm, for almost a year. The barge has been docked on the isle since August 2023 and has been at the centre of many conversations around the topic of migration, home and belonging since its controversial arrival. (The new government, in one of its earliest announcements, said the Bibby Stockholm contract would not be renewed at the end of this year).
The 2024 b-side launch event at SALT, a bar on Portland Marina, on Thursday 5th September will include a film premiere, live spoken word and DJ sets, offering a preview of the eclectic and thought-provoking works that attendees can expect over the weekend.
One of the highlights of the evening will be the premiere of This Is Us, a new short film by Hugh Dunford Wood in collaboration with Stephen Clarke of biggerhouse film. The film captures 209 portraits illuminated by the fleeting light of a single match, revealing the diverse faces of Portland’s community and emphasising our shared humanity.
This will be followed by a sound poetry performance by Belinda Zhawi – Viva Voce delves into themes of displacement and the essential role of water in the narratives of loss and home, weaving together reflections on two historically significant rivers tied by trade and migration.
Rocca Holly-Nambi, the b-side director, emphasises the festival’s significance: “Our themes of migration and identity resonate deeply with Portland’s residents. The launch event not only celebrates our diverse communities but also highlights the festival’s role in securing the County of Culture title for 2025. We are proud to contribute to this cultural milestone through our commitment to bringing people and art together.”
Now in its tenth year, the festival is sponsored for the first time by Portland Marina, which will host a range of events and exhibits from both local residents and international artists. These include a mass kite-making workshop involving hundreds of participants, including local schoolchildren, who will fly their creations over the English Channel, and a unique opening day event on 5th September, highlighting Portland’s significance and the festival’s theme of unity.
This year’s installations include One Night, One Dream, Life in the Lighthouse, outdoor artworks inspired by Persian myths of migration, created by Mohammad Barrangi, an Iranian-born artist and former Paralympian, Liz Hingley’s SIM Project, tiny artworks with gigantic meaning in the form of SIM cards, and Face Value Portland, the transformation of £5 notes into portraits of festival-goers by German-born Harald Smykla.
b-side will take place across various sites on Portland, offering something for everyone, with many events being free of charge to ensure the celebration is accessible to all.There is also a festival fringe, from Saturday 31st August to Sunday 8th September.
For more information, please visit the b-side website https://b-side.org.uk/ and Follow b-side festival on Instagram @bsidefestival, Twitter @bsidefest and Facebook @bsidefest.
Pictured: The stunning image that publicises this year’s b-side festival; Belinda Zhawi, who will be singing at the launch event at SALT.