Up to 40,000 people are expected in Derry for the 19th annual Maiden City Festival which gets underway today.
Organisers, the Apprentice Boys of Derry, have put on a programme of cultural events, many of which are free.
From Monday to Thursday, put on your dancing shoes and step back into an age of elegance.
Dance the afternoon away in the beautiful surroundings of The Memorial Hall, with a special tea dance hosted daily by Danny Feeney.
Between 2.30pm and 4.30pm, attendees will be treated to afternoon tea, a selection of tray bakes, dance and music with plenty of time to share stories from times gone-by with friends, old and new.
On Wednesday, August 10, at 7.15pm, author of “Three Cheers for the Derrys”, Gardiner S Mitchell, will host a First World War lecture in the Memorial Hall at Society Street.
The event will offer an account of the suffering, hardship, comradeship and bravery of the young men from the Derry Battalion (10th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers), who made so many sacrifices at the Somme.
Writer and director Jonathan Burgees from Blue Eagle Productions will host a one-off workshop in Whitehall Chambers discussing the impact of the Troubles on former members of the Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) and their families.
Using the script from his Inconspicuous Gallantry play, the workshop will explore anger, loss, bereavement, betrayal and post-traumatic stress disorder.
It will take place on Tuesday, August 9, from 1pm-2.30pm.
A special reunion event for residents of the Fountain in the Memorial Hall.
On Tuesday August 9, a fireworks display will take place on the city walls following the festive fun of the Kids’ Night in the Memorial Hall.
Highlight will be the annual Apprentice Boys parade through the city taking place next Saturday.
Photo shows Apprentice Boys of Derry Governor, Jim Brownlee pictured at the launch of the annual Maiden City Festival. Included, from left, Ronnie McCauseland, APBOD, Jonathan Burgess, Blue Eagle Production, Darren Milligan, Ivan Taylor, Donna Best, Festival Committee, Stan Frazer, Billy Moore, committee members, Keith Lynch as Robert Lundy and dancers Lois Tait and Grace Kelly. Picture Martin McKeown. Inpresspics.com. 03.08.16
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