Menu
18/07/2006
Maiden City festival called off over funding
The organisers of the Apprentice Boys' Maiden City Festival in Londonderry have announced that this year's event has been called off.
In a statement, the organisers said: "Urgent attention needs to be addressed towards a clear and agreed framework for funding that removes the 11th hour funding crisis that has defeated and demoralised the festival team this year.
"This requires conclusive attention in the autumn if there is to be a Maiden City Festival in 2007 and beyond."
David Hoey, one of the organisers, blamed "petty bureaucracy" and "technocractic bun-fighting" between agencies and government departments for the cancellation of the event. He said: "We have spent the past three to four months trying to secure funding for 2006. Our three year forward plans contained the most exciting, innovative ideas that stretched the festival into new and imaginative fields without a huge amount of additional cost over that period. At the outset, we were hugely optimistic about the future of the Maiden City Festival, now matched by our enormous disappointment at having to call it a day for 2006.
"In the end, three to four months of being told how we had provided more than enough information and how the festival must happen, has still left us with three weeks to organise the festival without funding security for the event.
"The festival is about building bridges and all we could see in the future was a battle that was not of our choosing, in which we were only a third party caught in the cross-fire. We are not prepared to take the risk of proceeding with a festival simply to 'do something' and end up with a patched-up programme that weakens the festival brand."
A few events will be held in 2006 during the week before August 12, but not as Maiden City Festival activity.
The festival commemorates the actions of the Protestant Apprentice Boys who closed the gates of the city against the forces of Catholic King James in 1688 and the subsequent Siege of Londonderry until the city was relieved by the forces of King William of Orange in August 1689.
(KMcA/GB)
In a statement, the organisers said: "Urgent attention needs to be addressed towards a clear and agreed framework for funding that removes the 11th hour funding crisis that has defeated and demoralised the festival team this year.
"This requires conclusive attention in the autumn if there is to be a Maiden City Festival in 2007 and beyond."
David Hoey, one of the organisers, blamed "petty bureaucracy" and "technocractic bun-fighting" between agencies and government departments for the cancellation of the event. He said: "We have spent the past three to four months trying to secure funding for 2006. Our three year forward plans contained the most exciting, innovative ideas that stretched the festival into new and imaginative fields without a huge amount of additional cost over that period. At the outset, we were hugely optimistic about the future of the Maiden City Festival, now matched by our enormous disappointment at having to call it a day for 2006.
"In the end, three to four months of being told how we had provided more than enough information and how the festival must happen, has still left us with three weeks to organise the festival without funding security for the event.
"The festival is about building bridges and all we could see in the future was a battle that was not of our choosing, in which we were only a third party caught in the cross-fire. We are not prepared to take the risk of proceeding with a festival simply to 'do something' and end up with a patched-up programme that weakens the festival brand."
A few events will be held in 2006 during the week before August 12, but not as Maiden City Festival activity.
The festival commemorates the actions of the Protestant Apprentice Boys who closed the gates of the city against the forces of Catholic King James in 1688 and the subsequent Siege of Londonderry until the city was relieved by the forces of King William of Orange in August 1689.
(KMcA/GB)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
07 August 2019
Local Theatre Talent Set For Edinburgh Festival
Three local theatre groups are due to perform at the Edinburgh International Festival and Edinburgh Festival Fringe later this month. With the support of the Arts Council and British Council of Northern Ireland, the arts organisations will stage productions that showcase some of the best of local talent at the popular festivals.
Local Theatre Talent Set For Edinburgh Festival
Three local theatre groups are due to perform at the Edinburgh International Festival and Edinburgh Festival Fringe later this month. With the support of the Arts Council and British Council of Northern Ireland, the arts organisations will stage productions that showcase some of the best of local talent at the popular festivals.
09 August 2012
Men 'Abused Tourists' In Londonderry
Two men who allegedly abused and insulted tourists have been remanded in custody at Londonderry Magistrates Court. Ryan Sharkey, 19, from Jasmine Court and Ruarai Canning, 20 from Southend Park were charged with disorderly behaviour at Fahan Street yesterday.
Men 'Abused Tourists' In Londonderry
Two men who allegedly abused and insulted tourists have been remanded in custody at Londonderry Magistrates Court. Ryan Sharkey, 19, from Jasmine Court and Ruarai Canning, 20 from Southend Park were charged with disorderly behaviour at Fahan Street yesterday.
15 April 2010
Dublin Adds €3m For Reconciliation
The Dublin Government has underlined its determination to continue funding reconciliation initiatives across the border. In the week which saw the Stormont Assembly complete devolution with appointment of a local Minister for Justice, the Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin announced that another 43 NI groups would receive €1.
Dublin Adds €3m For Reconciliation
The Dublin Government has underlined its determination to continue funding reconciliation initiatives across the border. In the week which saw the Stormont Assembly complete devolution with appointment of a local Minister for Justice, the Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin announced that another 43 NI groups would receive €1.
04 August 2010
Mivan Secures Landmark Project In Egypt
Antrim-based Mivan has secured a commercial and residential construction project worth over £90m in Egypt. They will be working for Al Futtaim Real Estate Development at the Cairo Festival City project.
Mivan Secures Landmark Project In Egypt
Antrim-based Mivan has secured a commercial and residential construction project worth over £90m in Egypt. They will be working for Al Futtaim Real Estate Development at the Cairo Festival City project.
12 October 2004
City Hall prepares for bookworm invasion
Belfast City Hall is preparing itself for an invasion of young bookworms later this month. Belfast City Council is teaming up with two major cultural festivals, Young at Art and the Belfast Festival at Queen’s, to open up the world of children’s literature.
City Hall prepares for bookworm invasion
Belfast City Hall is preparing itself for an invasion of young bookworms later this month. Belfast City Council is teaming up with two major cultural festivals, Young at Art and the Belfast Festival at Queen’s, to open up the world of children’s literature.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
