Save the Belfast Festival!

The festival, described by Harry Hill as "the best festival we've ever attended", has gained a strong reputation after 44 years of bringing performers from all fields of the arts to Northern Ireland, including Jimmy Hendrix, Philip Glass, Michael Palin, Ibrahim Ferrar and José Cura.
However, in the last three years, the government has cut its funding for the festival by 32%, despite it contributing £6.5 million to the Northern Irish economy.
Queen's Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Gregson said: "Belfast's Festival has been sustained by Queen's, and we are proud of our association with it, but it is a cultural resource for the region. The University cannot continue to carry the burden without the help and active support of our funding partners who benefit directly and indirectly."
The festival for 2007 will therefore be cancelled unless additonal funding can be found.
Email [email protected] to petition the Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, Maria Eagle MP, or click here to learn more about the campaign.