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February 3, 2026

‘They don’t see the need for division any more’: how teenagers of Belfast are escaping the city’s past

Going beyond the well-worn stories of division, the Irish photographer depicts young people trying to live normally in the shadow of violence

‘They don’t see the need for division any more’: how teenagers of Belfast are escaping the city’s past

TL;DR

  • Hazel Gaskin's photography project "Breathing Land" focuses on young people in Belfast, countering narratives of division and violence.
  • The project documents teenagers participating in normal activities like attending youth clubs, boxing gyms, and dance groups.
  • Gaskin observed that despite historic violence and physical divisions like peace walls, young people aspire to live normally.
  • The book highlights social issues such as poverty and social mobility as factors affecting the younger generation, alongside sectarian tensions.
  • Gaskin notes a shift from past experiences of sectarian caution to a present where divisions often dissipate in shared activities like music clubs.
  • While acknowledging ongoing tensions and demographic changes, the project conveys a sense of optimism for a more connected future driven by the younger generation's rejection of division.

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