From 30th January-8th February, the “4 Corners Festival” took place in Belfast under the evocative theme: “Journey”. The city once again became a mosaic of shared stories, creativity and friendship. Now in its 14th year, the festival invites people from all walks of life to leave familiar places — both physical and psychological — and step into shared spaces of encounter, reflection and growth. The theme “Journey” was chosen to celebrate the many ways life moves us outward into new places and inward toward deeper understanding and compassion — experiences that change both hearts and communities. At its heart, 4 Corners remains an invitation to encounter others, to foster new friendships and to sustain existing ones, a shared pilgrimage of people, ideas, art, laughter and conversation.
Speakers, Stories and Shared Thought
The festival’s programme was rich with contributors who opened doors across cultural, creative and spiritual life:
Bishop Rose Hudson-Wilkin reflected on her life’s journey from Montego Bay to leadership in the Church of England, offering profound insight into the paths that shape us.
Sam Goodwin, in “Winning through Uncertainty”, explored what it means to maintain faith and resilience even through life’s great trials.
Barry Sloan traced his pilgrimage in the footsteps of St Columbanus, inviting listeners to see journeying not just as movement across landscapes, but as a spiritual path shaped by encounter.
Dr Jemar Tisby, a prominent historian and author, guided deep discussions on racial justice and reconciliation at the festival’s closing event, “The Journey toward Reconciliation”.
Other sessions ranged from The Good Journey — a conversation about lifelong purpose and its legacy to the next generation with Rev Dr Harold Good — to In Conversation with Andy White, celebrating four decades of artistry and the creative paths life takes us on. Across these talks, one thread stood clear: every life story — whether marked by joy, challenge or transformation — is a journey that deepens understanding and connects us with others.
Stitching Friendship: Knit and Natter
One of the festival’s most cherished events is “Knit and Natter – 4 Corners Together”, lovingly spearheaded by Janice Stockman and Irene Jovaras. The Knit and Natter gatherings are more than a casual craft circle: they are a living metaphor for the festival’s ethos — weaving friendships stitch by stitch. “It is not just a manual activity,” organisers noted, “but a true ecumenism of the people — a network of friendship that continues throughout the year.” In gatherings like these, craft becomes the gateway to deeper conversation, laughter and shared stories — embodying the simple truth that community forms best through welcome and shared moments.
Art, Sport, Play — Encounter in Many Forms
4 Corners has always been more than talks and panels: it’s a festival of experience. The Journeying to Resilience photographic exhibition organized by the Westcourt Centre, brought to life stories of Belfast residents who have walked paths of challenge and hope. Peace Players NI facilitated cross-community sport, and the festival was honoured by the visit of President Catherine Connolly of Ireland, who took part in a basketball event that used play to bring young people together across historical divides — a vivid example of how sport can open dialogue and friendship.
Other creative events included theatrical storytelling (Getting to Iona), inter-generational workshops, youth showcases (A Youth Journey from Belfast to Katanga) and communal movement events such as the Female 5K Fun Run. Each of these encouraged people not just to watch, but to participate, move and connect — embodying the theme of journey in action.
Pilgrimage to Rome: A Festival beyond Belfast
This year’s festival reached beyond Belfast with a six-day pilgrimage to Rome during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Participants, including board members and supporters, engaged in meetings with the Irish and British Ambassadors to the Holy See, spent time with Fr Martin Browne OSB currently at the Dicastery for Christian Unity, met Sr Nathalie Becquart, Undersecretary of the Synod of Bishops, visited the Ponte Sant’Angelo Methodist Church and St. Andrews, Church of Scotland and joined vespers led by Pope Leo XIV at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. For cofounder, Rev. Steve Stockman, the real gift was not just the meetings or the iconic settings, but the time spent together in reflection and shared purpose, a living expression of the festival’s commitment to reconciliation through friendship.
Journey of the Heart: Psalm, Pilgrimage and Unity
The festival’s theme, Journey, has deep spiritual resonance. In Psalm 84, the psalmist declares, “Blessed are those whose hearts are set on pilgrimage,” celebrating the life-long movement toward what is good, true and communal. This ancient image of life as pilgrimage mirrors the festival’s invitation: to travel toward deeper connection, compassion and hope. Those familiar with Chiara Lubich’s concept of the “Santo Viaggio” or “Holy Journey” will find a kindred spirit here. Chiara taught that life is a pilgrimage of love, where every encounter invites us closer to God and each other. Reflecting on this in 1981, she said: “A few days ago I read a beautiful sentence from the Psalms, “Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage” (Ps. 84: 5 NIV). “Pilgrimage?” What pilgrimage is Scripture speaking about? It is of course our journey towards heaven and God; and thus, our journey toward holiness, which will lead us to heaven. … So then, have we really set out on this holy journey? In this present moment, are we moving onward? … Let’s pause a moment and put ourselves before God to take stock of our situation. Have there been any results? Have we improved, for instance, in doing God’s will? Are we any better at loving? What about our mutual love? … If the answer is yes, then let’s give thanks to God and keep going. If the answer is no, let’s thank God that we still have time to start afresh. Then, onward! We really want to experience together the happiness of the Holy Journey!”
Conclusion: Every Step a Story Shared
The 4 Corners Festival 2026 was much more than a collection of events — it was a living mosaic of journeys. From the quiet stitches of Knit and Natter to high-level dialogue in Rome and the vibrant basketball courts of Queen’s University, the festival answered a question as old as humanity: how do we walk together with love, courage and openness? In following the paths laid before them, participants discovered that the journey itself is where hope grows and friendships deepen.