Ideas ranged from Doorsteps sandwich chain, to the Belfast Wheel, to the Northern Irish sense of humour; just some of the responses scrawled on the Tell It In Colour ‘Love Belfast’ wall at this year’s Summer Madness festival.

TIIC Graffiti Wall at Summer Madness

TIIC went along to Ireland’s largest youth festival at the King’s Hall in Belfast from the 3rd to the 7th of July to promote the website and to encourage people to think positively about this place we call home.  We were excited to be among the 5000 young people who descended on the event and to get chatting with them about the good news which is happening in each of their communities.

Now in its 22nd year, Summer Madness is widely regarded as one of Europe’s key Christian youth festivals.  And this year’s amazing array of speakers and artists will certainly help to boost that reputation, with names such as Foy Fance, Brian McLaren, Rachael Gardner and Andy Hickford all taking part.

Festival director John Kee said they are determined to keep dreaming big and to keep the festival a fresh experience for those who attend: “After so many years you might expect us to start running out of ideas, but year has been bigger and better than ever.”

Mr Foy Vance

“Summer Madness has become one of the stand-out events for Christian artists and speakers throughout the world.”

This year SM launched a new over 18s mini-festival called ‘Rehab’, which included a stunning performance from local singer songwriter and creative genius Foy Vance.

And so the positive vibe at this year’s festival seemed to be reflected on the TIIC graffiti wall as young people gathered to celebrate Belfast’s stories of hope.