There’s a jam packed programme of events planned across the city from 12-16 June to mark the special Sister City relationship, which has evolved over the years to embrace music, cultural and educational exchanges, tourism and business development.
Belfast Lord Mayor Councillor John Finucane explains: “We’re welcoming a 43 strong delegation from our Sister City, Nashville next week – and as well as facilitating a range of tourism, hospitality, city planning and education meetings, we’ll be celebrating our cities’ connections through food, film and exhibitions, history, family events and plenty of live gigs and professional music workshops as we’re both such great music cities.
“In the background, we’re preparing to take a tech business mission to Nashville so that we can develop trade and investment links in our thriving creative, professional services and healthcare industries. There’s huge potential for our export companies – particularly as Nashville is the US home to a diverse healthcare cluster, with over 500 health care companies operating on a multi-state, national and international basis.”
A particular highlight of the Nashville in Belfast programme will be the Summer in the Sister City special foodie evening at St Anne’s Square, Cathedral Quarter on Wednesday, June 12 – with plenty of opportunities to taste authentic Nashville, accompanied by live music.
There’s also a Nashville themed family film and kids’ music workshop at the Strand Arts Centre on Saturday June 15. That evening, there’s a very special closing dining experience and concert in St Anne’s Cathedral, with Nashville signature cuisine served family style at communal tables and music from Tommy Sands and Grammy nominated John McCutcheon. And chef Michael King from the famous Monell’s restaurant will be giving free cookery demos at St George’s Sunday Market on June 16.
Belfast City Council will also be running a range of competitions on their social media channels – so keep an eye on @belfastcc on Twitter #NashvilleinBelfast and @belfastcitycouncil on Facebook to win tickets and more.
