1,000 Waves - Hands of the City - A We belong Ritual by Unity In Community

A We belong Ritual brought to you by Unity In Community. Join us in person for a powerful gathering where we connect, share, and celebrate together. This is all about coming together as one, feeling the energy of the city, and being part of something bigger. Don’t miss out on this beautiful experience that’s all about unity and belonging!

Join us at this two‑hour interactive art ritual where
every wave becomes a welcome, every hand becomes a promise,
and every story becomes part of Dublin’s living tapestry —
a celebration of unity, belonging, and community spirit at the heart of
Culture Date with Dublin 8

Every wave is an invitation. Every hand is a story. Every person belongs.

Step into Dublin 8 — that storied quarter where history breathes from stones and voices rise from cobbles — and become part of a living artwork. In this two‑hour activation, “1,000 Waves: Hands of the City”, we invite Dubliners old and new to weave themselves into a collective gesture of belonging.

Inspired by the festival’s mission to celebrate the people, stories, and cultural lifeblood of Dublin 8 through accessible, inclusive, community‑shaped experiences, this session transforms a simple human gesture — the wave — into a city‑wide symbol of solidarity. As the festival itself spans landmarks, neighbourhoods, and shared histories, so too will our waves stitch together participants into a temporary but powerful republic of welcome.

Together, we will co‑create the first public chapter of the “We Belong Universe,” a civic-art campaign designed to challenge racism, champion inclusion, and plant community advocates throughout the city.
Hands are universal. Everyone understands the gesture of a wave, a high‑five, or an extended hand. Tracing a hand is simple, but symbolically it says:

“I’m here. I belong. I want to connect.”

Displaying those hands together shows the real diversity of Dublin, side‑by‑side.

It’s a two‑hour activation where participants:

Trace and decorate their hand

Share a small piece of their personal or family history

Add their handprint to a collective artwork

Join in a final filmed “wave of welcome”

It’s gentle, creative, and accessible for all ages — and it creates a powerful sense of collective pride.

Unity‑in‑Community is about connection, belonging, and shared creativity.

It offers a positive, practical response to rising division or misunderstanding.

It is community‑driven, co‑created, and inclusive of all identities.

The We Belong Ritual turns simple gestures into visible acts of solidarity.

The programme is funded by the Department of Justice and delivered by Dublin City Volunteer Centre to strengthen social cohesion.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher Dublin City Volunteer Centre with Culture Date with Dublin 8