Guests Include:

Alfie Bown is Senior Lecturer in Digital Media Culture and Technology in the Department of Digital Humanities. His research focuses on psychoanalysis, digital media and popular culture. His books include Dream Lovers (Pluto, 2022), an investigation into dating apps, sexbots and virtual relationships, Post-Comedy (Polity, 2024), Post-Memes (Punctum, 2019) and The Playstation Dreamworld (Polity, 2017), a psychoanalytic study of video games which is available in Spanish, Portuguese, Serbian, Slovak and many other languages. Currently, he is working on the relationship between psychoanalysis and cybernetics. He is also editor of Everyday Analysis, a pamphlet house and monthly talk series and is a writer/producer for The Magician's Niece.

Ed Hicks is highly respected muralist, illustrator and graffiti artist, whose works move between graphically expressive landscapes and a bit more obscure themes. His work is influenced by various philsophical themes that dovetail with the work of Pyrotheology.

Cadell Last is a philosopher with a background in anthropology, history and complexity studies. He is the founder of Philsophy Portal and the author of Global Brain Singularity; Sex, Masculinity, God; and Enter the Alien.

Julie Reshe is a Ukrainian philosopher who has developed a theory and technology under the name of negative psychoanalysis. She is a professor at the School of Advanced Studies (SAS) at the University of Tyumen in Siberia, and director of the Institute of Psychoanalysis at the Global Center for Advanced Studies (GCAS).

Maggie Rowe is an LA based writer and performer who even started her own satirical religion called Pyrasphere. She has written screenplays for movies (Bright Day and Out West,) television shows (Flaked and Arrested Development) and stage productions (Hollywood Hell House, Hollywood Purity Ball, Lawyer Cop Doctors, and Pretty Good Show), as well as publishing a book of essays called Dirty Laundry and a memoir entitled Sin Bravely.

Helen Rollins is a writer, filmmaker and public intellectual who has worked on various award-winning projects. She lectures and writes across topics related to film and psychoanalysis. She has been a co-host on two philosophy podcasts and has a book on film theory (Psychocinema) with Polity.

Barry Taylor is writer, speaker and public intellectual as well as the chair of theology for GCAS .His work focuses on the intersections between religion, theology and culture, with a particular emphasis on the impact and interplay of contemporary digital life on religion and belief (particularly Western Christianity).

27th April - 1st May

Located in the cultural heart of Belfast, Wake is a five-day transgressive festival that mixes the best in incendiary intellectual exploration with underground art, music, magic, comedy, tours and talks to forge an experience that embodies the destabilizing essence of pyrotheology.

Named after the Irish funeral ritual, Wake is a pop-up community that creates a space for radical ideas and personal rupture. It brings together a ragtag collection of dissidents, heretics, fools and fundamentalists from all over the globe. People who want to spend five days forging friendships, bidding farewell to old gods, and learning how to affirm life in all its dirt and depth.

cost

It’s a difficult financial climate, so we’re trying to keep the cost as low as possible. However, we don’t want to compromise on the program, so for those of you who can afford it, we have a $100 bolt-on, which includes a breakfast hangout on the Friday morning after the event, where you’ll get a fancy breakfast, mimosas and gifts at my place. It’ll be the perfect way to get rid of your post-festival hangover, and the extra money will be poured into the program.

All my Patrons get $20 off, if you’re a Blaze supporter, you get $100 off and Inferno get $250 off, if you can’t find out how to access the discount, just message me.

What are the dates?

Wake starts on the evening of 27 April and ends at midnight on 1st May (with the bolt-on breakfast happening on 2nd).

What should I expect?

This is a boutique festival carefully crafted to help inspire you, challenge you, and enrich your experience of life. I'll be there speaking, facilitating discussions and answering questions. But I'll also be curating the other content; bringing in academics, artists and activists who will help to create an immersive and life affirming environment. In addition to all the music, magic, and art, there will be plenty of pub conversations, tours, talks and laughter.

What’s included?

Included in the ticket price is admission to everything across the five days of Wake.. Everything else is up to you.

Should I extend my stay?

Absolutely. I’ve timed Wake so that it ends right when some of the biggest and best events of the city begin. These are Hit the North (a Street Art event), the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival and the Festival of Fools.

What happens if I pay but can't go?

Because we base the program directly on the budget, we are unable to offer refunds, however we can offer credit toward future Wake festivals.

What are my transportation options?

The closest airport is the George Best City (BHD). It’s a 5 minute bus or taxi ride into the city (both can be found right on the doorstep of the airport (Uber also operates in Belfast). The other local airport is Belfast International (BFS). There is a bus at the airport that takes you directly into the city. From there, you can walk to the area where everything takes place. Dublin airport (DUB) is also a great option as flights there are often cheaper. It’s just under 2 hours from Belfast and there’s a bus outside the exit that will take you up (some of the buses don't take credit cards, so buy your ticket in advance or use either Euros or Sterling).

Where should I stay?

A brand new hotel has opened up right next door to where Wake happens. It’s called The Foundry and is a very cool, mid-budget spot located on the best street in the city. I’d highly recommend you grab that spot. But there’s loads of other great places, from the basic to the luxurious. And all at very reasonable prices. You can look for an apartment in the Cathedral Quarter (St. Annes Square is a great spot), or book into one of the many local hotels. My other recommendations are:

• An apartment in the Cathedral Quarter (St. Annes Square is a great spot)

• The Premier Inn or the Ramada Encore for budget options (there are a few Premier Inns, so make sure you're booking the one located in the Cathedral Quarter)

• Bullitt for a very stylish and cool mid-price option

• The Merchant, if you want to make your stay that little bit more special