SPECIAL 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.
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).
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).
Tickets
All my Patrons get $20 off, if you’re a Blaze supporter, you get $80 off and Inferno get $200 off, if you can’t access the discount, just message me.
17th - 21st 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.
What are the dates?
Wake starts on the evening of 17th May and ends at midnight on 21st May (with the bolt-on breakfast happening on 22nd).
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.. There will also be at least one dinner and some drinks. Everything else is up to you. There is also a bolt on breakfast on the Friday morning. This includes an Ulster Fry, mimosas and gifts at my place, overlooking the city.
Should I extend my stay?
Absolutely. It’s a very busy time in Belfast, with various festivals taking place before and after Wake, and there are always people hanging around afterwards.
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?
There are lots of great spots to stay in the area, from the basic to the luxurious. And all at very reasonable prices. You can look for an apartment in the Cathedral Quarter, or book into one of the many local hotels. My recommendations are:
An apartment in the Cathedral Quarter (St. Annes Square is a great spot, as well as Obel Tower)
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