The first Belfast Ulster-Scots Festival begins in the city tomorrow and continues until May 29th, writes Deaglan de Bread un. A wide-ranging programme of events includes lectures, concerts, poetry readings, drama and language classes.
The festival was launched at a ceremony in the City Hall yesterday by the Lord Mayor, Dr David Alderdice. Pipers played Scotland the Brave.
The chairwoman of the organising committee, Mrs Maureen Harkins, said it was hoped to make the festival an annual event.
"There has been a close association between Ulster and Scotland throughout recorded history, and the narrow strip of water between us has always been more of a bridge than a barrier," she said.