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THE
GRAND OPENING
The magic of CS Lewis officially received a permanent place in East Belfast as some of the most famous creations of the world-famous author are celebrated at the landmark opening of The CS Lewis Square. The square, at the intersection of the Connswater and Comber greenways, will be one of Northern Ireland’s most exciting public spaces.
PICTURED
DOUGLAS GRESHAM, CS LEWIS’S STEPSON WITH THE MAGNIFICENT ASLAN SCULPTURE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY
NEWS • #23 • DECEMBER 2016
THE LION, THE WITCH & THE WARDROBE ARRIVES IN EAST BELFAST T he square has capacity for around 2,000 people at events and celebrations – with a full house for the launch party, which was attended by the Belfast author’s stepson, Douglas Gresham, and where seven permanent sculptures based
on characters from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe were unveiled. Mr Gresham spoke in memory of his stepfather and, with key stakeholders, formally opening the £2.5 million square – the latest section to open on the £40m Connswater Community Greenway, a
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9km linear park through East Belfast. Other project highlights include the Sam Thompson Bridge at Victoria Park, Marsh-wiggle Way at Clarawood and ‘The Hollow’ off Beersbridge Road. Irish artist Maurice Harron created the sculptures, which depict Aslan, Maugrim, Mr and Mrs Beaver, the Robin, the White Witch, the Stone Table and Mr Tumnus. It is the not the first time CS Lewis has been celebrated in sculpture in his home of East Belfast; another local artist, Ross Wilson, created The Searcher, based on character Digory Kirke from The Magician’s Nephew, which stands near Holywood Arches Library. 300 trees have been planted around the square on drumlin features and the new square is lit for evening events and activities. There are also new railway tracks, arches, street furniture, paths and façade art. The Connswater Community Greenway is a £40m project developed by EastSide Partnership and delivered by Belfast City Council, which is managing the project construction. Funded by the Big Lottery Fund, Belfast City Council, the Department for Communities and the Department for Infrastructure, the Greenway will have a really positive impact on the quality of life for local people and create a legacy for future generations. The launch was compered by East Belfast actor Dan Gordon. The
centrepiece was the unveiling of the seven new sculptures. To mark this, local people were involved in making seven short films, to bring the seven sculptures to life: These included dance group Ajendance performing the Dance of the White Witch, filmed under the H&W cranes; flute players performing the Waterboys’ Further Up Further In, filmed at the waterfall at Cregagh Glen – Mike Scott of the band is a fan of CS Lewis; and more.
“
I am delighted to be back in Belfast again, particularly to celebrate the opening of C.S. Lewis Square. The last time I was here was back in 1998 when another now famous Belfast man, Keith Getty, and I put together a show to celebrate my stepfather’s centenary! This is a wonderful city, and it’s a thrill that Jack (as he preferred to be called) is being honoured in this way. The Sculptures are terrific I am sure that this square will be a great boost to Belfast, his childhood home which he so dearly loved.
DOUGLAS GRESHAM
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