In our Northern Roots series, we speak to readers originally from Northern Ireland but currently living elsewhere, or vice versa – or who’ve spent time away from NI. This week’s interviewee is Georgios Varoutsos who is originally from Montreal, Canada before moving to Belfast to study.

 

1. Tell us about yourself. When did you come to Northern Ireland and where did you come from? What brought you here? What do you do now?

I am a sonic artist/performer from Montreal, Canada. I just recently completed a masters degree in Arts & Humanities with a focus on Sonic Arts at Queen’s University Belfast. I have presented artistic works in the form of concerts, installations, and presentations throughout Europe and North America.

Funny enough, I actually came to Northern Ireland twice – once in 2016 for Sonorities by the Sonic Arts Research Centre (SARC) and then again in 2018 to begin my masters. It was due to my first visit that I fell in love with Belfast, Northern Ireland, and Queen’s. On that first visit, I decided to visit some tourist attractions. One of the obvious was the Hop On/Off tour which passed by the Peace Walls and it instantly inspired me to do further research. After finding some online readings and visiting the Ulster Museum – which has a section based on the ‘Troubles’ – I knew I wanted to do some work based on the legacy of the conflict.

In 2018, I proposed my MRes research for two projects exploring the auditory spaces around Belfast’s peace walls. These projects aim at using spatial audio and artistic practice to plan new approaches to conflict transformation in Northern Ireland. I wanted to present a new way of understanding and experiencing the peace wall(s) and give a neutral platform for people to share their stories through sound.

Presently, I am merging my various backgrounds of study into research projects consisting of sonification, urban arts, sonic arts, and socially engaged arts. I am also interested in pursuing a PhD or other forms of staying within the academic community.

2. What do you think of Northern Ireland, and how does it compare to where you are from?

Northern Ireland is fascinating. It’s vibrant and balanced, something that made me want to apply for my studies here in the first place. There are beautiful landscapes and interesting places to visit along the coastline. I always tell people back home in Montreal that the people here are cheerful, always striking up a conversation – it’s a wonderful place to walk around and discover something new. Belfast is unlike any city I have been to before. I think these new experiences come with walking around different parts of the city every day – it changes my perspective on life. It helps me to be less stressed and enjoy life.

While every country has its issues, so does Northern Ireland, with its history and current social problems. It can be complex at times for some to experience division among people, but there are reasons and my purpose was to understand and not to judge while living here. From the province I am from, I understand collision between ideals since there are divisions amongst ourselves and the languages spoken. This is what I mean by every place has its own problems.

I was born and raised in Montreal, but I am of Greek descent. My family moved from Greece years ago to find a better life. Problems are worldwide but I think if we collectively reshape our views to value lives more than labels then we can enter a harmonious state of life.

 

3. Are you hopeful for Northern Ireland’s future? Does Brexit have any impact on you and how you view the future?

I am hopeful for NI’s future. I see a lot of progress in different sectors and how inclusive the country can be at times. From conversations I have had with locals and students, I think there is a lot that is offered by the country and a strong voice in favour of positive changes.

As for Brexit, this raises some concern with the history of the ‘Troubles’ and knowing that even today people are still divided. I do not know to what extent Brexit will have an effect on the country and how this will impact relations with the Republic of Ireland. It would be a shame if Brexit creates a backlash in the country and reverts positive changes that have been made in the last 20 years. It’s in the hands of locals and communities to pull together and make their own choices for their future.

 

4. Do you think you will return home or do you plan to stay in Northern Ireland long term? Is there anything that may influence your decision either way?

At the moment it is a little mixed since I am attached to Belfast and wish to stay longer. I am looking at PhD opportunities, so that may be a chance for me to stay another 3-4 years (fingers crossed). Every time I have returned home, I couldn’t stop thinking about what was going on in Belfast and what I was missing out on. In such a short period of time I was able to call Belfast home, and feel extremely comfortable there. I want to take more time to explore the country and see what other opportunities arise.

 

5. What can Northern Ireland learn from your home country?

I think this question should go both ways.

First, I think Northern Ireland can learn to listen to the people. There have been protests and movements, but I feel the place is still not listening to what the people want. They want to move forward and change the stigmas that may be or were in place.

Second, what can Canada learn from Northern Ireland is simply to start enjoying life, find the time to relax and be with friends a little more. Sometimes our lives are so rushed, but from what I witnessed in NI is that even with everyone’s busy lives, they make sure to take that time to hang out and catch up. While we do have that in Canada, it seems everyone back home is pressured and stressed, whether from work, traffic, the weather, the on-going construction, etc. Everything piles on and then we’re too tired to make that necessary time we all need. Hopefully, we can learn to slow down a bit since life should be enjoyable and fun.

6. If Northern Ireland had a president with sweeping powers, and it was you, what would you do?

I wouldn’t want to have that sort of power. I would like to see the country unite and make the changes they are asking for – the ones that will shine more positivity on the country. Somewhere where everyone feels safe and happy.

 

7. What would you like to see more of on Northern Slant?

I think Northern Slant is doing an excellent job with the diversity of publications. I would only encourage more of it, to keep the open mind that is already presented. It’s quite refreshing to see a modern engagement and representation of perspectives.

 

8. If you could ask three politicians (one from Northern Ireland) out to dinner, who would they be and why?

I’m not sure I would have an interest going to dinner with three politicians – there hasn’t ever been any real connectivity to a single politician, let alone three!

 

9. Do you have a favourite quote or mantra?

We’re all held back by our pasts and that sometimes makes the future blurry. I usually just try to remember that as long as you’re putting in effort to move forward, the past should be in the past. I am not saying to forget, but perhaps forgive to take off that weight that we all carry.

 

10. What’s your message for people back home?

Hockey does not mean hockey the same way we know it. Northern Ireland’s version of hockey is Field Hockey, whereas hockey is actually called Ice Hockey.

Also, we may have a lot of snow back in Canada, but here they beat us with the rain!

Be prepared when you come to visit, but you will definitely fall in love with everything that the place has to offer. Great people, amazing food, outstanding pubs, beautiful scenery, and honestly just a grand time.

Just remember, wherever you do visit, you’re the visitor. Come with open eyes and listening ears, people have stories and it is a great way to learn. Come to understand but do not judge. Everyone and every place have a history, which means peoples’ struggles will be presented differently than your own and they will overcome them in their own time.