Belfast people asked to send Friendship messages

The people of Belfast are being encouraged to extend messages of friendship to their counterparts across the Irish Sea, by taking part in a unique cultural initiative linking ten cities across the UK.

Children from ten primary schools throughout the city already are poised to embark on the cultural experience of a lifetime as they prepare to climb aboard the ‘Friend Ship’.

Everyone living and working in Belfast is being invited to join in the initiative, by sending special messages of friendship to people in the other cities. These messages will be carried by 5,000 balloons, which will be released into the Belfast skies in just over a fortnight’s time.

Deirdre Robb, Arts Development Officer for Belfast City Council, said: “The Friend Ship Project is a ‘first’ for Belfast and for every other member city in the Cultural Cities Network.

“The release of the balloons is a symbolic gesture, extending the hand of friendship on behalf of Belfast and its people and demonstrating how easily messages of friendship and goodwill can transcend perceived geographic, cultural and social barriers.”

The ‘Friend Ship’ event – a travelling exhibition and educational resource - will visit Belfast schools next January, and will be followed by a Friend Ship Festival, a city-wide programme of public events.

Anyone interested in forwarding a Friend Ship balloon message can do so by emailing cultureandartsadmin@belfastcity.gov.uk or posting to ‘Friendship Message,’ Culture and Arts Unit, Belfast City Council, The Cecil Ward Building, 4-10 Linenhall Street, Belfast BT2 8BP.

(MB/SP)