Just before the British elections, I had the opportunity to return to Northern Ireland, to Derry, and to talk to people involved in a wonderful Peace Project, the Derry Playhouse.

Playwright Damian Gorman

I met playwright, writer and poet Damian Gorman, who has written extensively for television, radio and the stage. He is currently preparing a project focusing on 1972, the worst year of the Troubles. He is working with a broad range of members of the public from all walks of life (and both sides of the community) to share their experience of ’72.

I also talked to Greta McTague, who participates in Damian’s writing workshops at the Playhouse, and works as a teacher in Derry. They both offered valuable insights on life in Derry in 2019, the threat of Brexit and the return of a hard border, and the divisions, but also signs of hope in Northern Ireland.

Links

The Derry Playhouse

Damain Gorman’s Workshop

The Playhouse in Derry

History of the Northern Ireland Conflict 1968-1998 (quite in-depth)

tldr? Then try this summary by the BBC

The Northern Ireland Assembly

 

Music credits: Jazzhar, “Room with a View” CC-BY-SA, check him out on Jamendo and on Free Music Archive

Interviews at the Free and Open Source developers meeting FOSDEM 2015 in Brussels.

A few interviews from the largest meeting of Free and Open Source Software developers, users and supporters in Brussels. I made this episode for Hacker Public Radio.

Aaron Williamson

Free Software Law Expert Aaron Williamson held a brilliant talk on the history of internet surveillance in the USA at FOSDEM 2015. After the Paris terror attacks, many politicians want to increase surveillance. British Prime Minister David Cameron wants to read all our emails – even the encrypted ones. Is this the only answer to terror attacks? Aaron has a very strong opinion on this.

free software foundation stand Mathias Kirschner, Free Software Foundation Europe

Matthias is the Vice President of the Free Software Foundation Europe. In our interview at Fosdem 2015, he explains the work and the goal of the foundation and how they do lobbying for Free Software in parliaments and government bodies.

Torproject – nos ognions

A member of nos-ognions.net, which is part of the Tor project, explains about exit nodes, transparency and surveillance.