- Music
- 01 Oct 13
Local lad done extremely good Van Morrison is to be given the Freedom of the City on November 15 as part of this year’s Belfast Music Week.
Waterfront Hall ceremony taken care of, Van will play a free gig accompanied by an assortment of special guests. Tickets will be allocated on a lottery basis to applicants with a local postcode – details to follow.
“Belfast is my home,” Morrison reflects. “It’s where I first heard the music that influenced and inspired me, it’s where I first performed and it’s somewhere I have referred back to many times in my songwriting over the past fifty years.
“I’m delighted and honoured to receive the Freedom of the City and would like to thank all those who made it possible, the Lord Mayor, the Councillors and the people of Belfast.”
Running from November 11 – 17, there will 250 events in 70 venues across the city, with another highlight the announcement of the Northern Ireland ‘Best Local Album’ Music Prize on November 12 in Mandela Hall.