Sean Doran, programme director of the Belfast Festival at Queen's, has been appointed director of the Festival of Perth, Australia, the largest annual arts festival in the southern hemisphere, writes Jane Coyle. Derry-born Doran, who will quit his Belfast commitment one year ahead of contract at the end of the 1998 festival, was head-hunted for this five-year appointment, during which he will take charge of proceedings between the years 2000 and 2004.

Doran wrought significant change in the programme of the 1997 Belfast Festival and was widely praised for the high quality of its content. Next month, he will announce two new developments, with the establishment of a children's festival and a fringe. "This is a tremendous opportunity, that, literally, came out of nowhere", says Doran. "On the one hand, I'm sad to be leaving Belfast, as I think you really only get into your stride in three years. But I was employed on a part-time basis, whereas this is a five-year full time commitment."