Imagine Festival: Democracy in the Classroom is where it Happens
Talk
This March we are excited to welcome Imagine Festival as they bring to The Crescent a whole host of events.
What is the story of America? Is America as much of an idea as a place? America is many things: a nation of immigrants, a melting pot, full of contradictions, a land of opportunity.
The musical Hamilton portrays the story of America then, told by America now. Hamilton challenges audiences to question what it meant to be an American during its founding and what it means to be an American in the 21st Century.
The Founding Fathers of America described America as an experiment in democracy. Yet the practice of democracy cannot idly be passed from generation to the next; it must be taught and learned by each new generation in the classroom. Come and explore Alexander Hamilton’s profound influence on early American government which established foundations for constitutional democracy that advocates around the world still work to achieve.
As America struggles to continue forging an inclusive political identity, we need creative ways to teach youth democratic values and re-energise their participation. “Hamilton” translates political theory into emotional experience through artistic storytelling that compels and connects. By showcasing the musical and exploring its parallels “Hamilton” ignites meaningful conversations on how democracy must remain a living, evolving project requiring every generation’s voice and vision to improve.
Padraig Kavanagh is a secondary history educator specialising in engaging students through the use of primary sources. He has a passion for helping students develop analytical skills and explore cultures to broaden their understanding of the world around them. Padraig is a National Geographic Certified Educator and Lilly Creative Teaching Fellow. He is in the process of completing his National Board Certification in the United States.
Padraig first visited Northern Ireland many moons ago out of sheer curiosity and continues to return. His claim to fame is knowing his way around Belfast enough to assist a lost couple from Mayo find the Hewitt Pub.
