The biggest ever gathering of Belfast’s writers is to be held next week, to mark the official launch of a series of new initiatives to highlight the city’s rich literary heritage and vibrant contemporary scene.
On Tuesday, September 6, Belfast City Council and its various partners will officially launch ‘Literary Belfast’, with a gala evening at the Ulster Hall, featuring Northern Irish writers reading from their works.
These writers include Colin Bateman, Ciaran Carson, Patricia Craig, Leontia Flynn, Marie Jones, Michael Longley, Martin Lynch, Bernard MacLaverty, Owen McCafferty, Sinead Morrissey, Paul Muldoon, Frank Ormsby, David Park and Glenn Patterson.
‘Belfast’s literary heritage has an important role to play in “place-making”, and is an important dimension in marketing Belfast as an international destination. We have developed a range of literary tourism products, based on leading case studies from the UK’s Centre for Tourism and Cultural Change and Dublin’s literary tourism initiatives.’ explained Alderman Christopher Stalford, Chairman of BCC’s Development Committee.
The new initiatives have been funded by BCC and part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund under the European Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for Northern Ireland, and administered by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board.
Tickets for the Literary Belfast gala on Tuesday, September 6 (starting at 8pm), cost £5 and are available in person from the box offices at either the Belfast Waterfront or the Ulster Hall, by calling 028 9033 4455 or via www.ulsterhall.co.uk.
LiteraryBelfast.org
