Belfast International Arts Festival set to begin

The re-branded Belfast Festival will begin later for the first time since its 52-year association with Queen's University ended.

Now known as the Belfast International Arts Festival, the major cultural event brings artists from around the world to the city over the next three weeks.

This year's headline acts include jazz singer Georgie Fame, rock band The Waterboys and journalist Misha Glenny.

Queen's University withdrew its support from the festival earlier this year.

It contributed about £120,000 to the festival's annual budget.

Ulster Bank and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland are now the main financial backers.

Ulster Bank give the festival about £100,000, while the Arts Council had initially pledged about £189,000.

But a 7% cut to its budget announced earlier this week has meant the festival has lost more than £13,000 of the money it was expecting to receive.

Acts from 23 countries will appear at this year's festival, which will mainly be held at venues at Queen's University, the city centre and the Cathedral Quarter.

The festival began as a small event based on the campus at Queen's University and managed to continue throughout the Troubles.

It has attracted performers as diverse as Jimi Hendrix, Cilla Black, Michael Palin, Anthony Burgess, Jack Dee and Status Quo over the years.