Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queens

The countdown is well and truly on to this year’s Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s and this year’s celebrations are expected to be even bigger as the Festival turns 50.

Wednesday 10 October 2012

Over the last five decades the Festival has become one of the leading arts events across Europe while maintaining its strong local roots. Each year the Festival brings a diverse range of acts, groups and authors to Northern Ireland and provides a unique platform for performances from world-class artists and leading local talent.

Having been in business for some 176 years, Ulster Bank is also firmly rooted in Northern Ireland and this year will be the Bank’s fifth year as the Festival’s title sponsor.

Ellvena Graham, Ulster Bank’s Chief Operating Officer says the Bank is a proud supporter of the Festival and is looking forward to helping more people enjoy this year’s programme of performances.

“Marking the Festival’s golden jubilee is a tribute not only to the city’s love of the arts but also a salute to those who over the past five decades have grown the Festival to its international status. We recognise what a powerful contribution culture can make to the social and economic health of society and we want to help more people access the arts and become a part of this year’s 50th Festival celebrations.”

Ulster Bank recently made 400 free festival tickets available for charity and community groups across a range of the Festival’s top performances.

“This is our fifth year providing tickets to charities and community groups and each year we have been really pleased with the response and feedback from the different groups who have attended. We believe that the arts should be accessible to everyone and through our Community Ticket scheme we can make this happen for local groups. We are always delighted to help extend the reach of the Festival and to enable even more people to be part of the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s celebrations.”

Photo: Ellvena Graham offers a slice of birthday cake to Festival Director Shan McAnena to celebrate the 50th Belfast Festival at Queen’s. Also pictured is Sherene McAvoy, one of Ulster Bank’s team of Arts Ambassadors.

Wednesday 10 October 2012