Belfast festival could be axed

This year could be the last ever Belfast festival at Queen's, unless more funding is provided, the government has been warned.

As this year's two-week festival comes to an end, Queen's University has revealed that it may not be able to afford to continue with the festival due to continuous financial losses.

Queen's has stated that it has played its part in regard to the financing, however has added that the public funders need to step up their role in order for the festival to survive.

Despite record breaking ticket sales this year, the festival has suffered a loss of around £150,000, which the University will now have to pay.

Over the past three-years, government funding for the festival has been cut by almost a third, however it is understood that a further £500,000 is needed to keep it afloat.

A statement from Queen's today said that it has already invested £2.5 million in culture and arts over the past three years and without support from other partners who benefit from the delivery of Northern Ireland's only international festival, the university cannot continue to fund deficits.”

The statement added: "The Festival contributes £6.5 million a year to the Northern Ireland economy, and this year it has reached 100,000 people, breaking all box office records.

"The government must recognise the enormous contribution the arts makes across many of its priority areas and work with arts organisations and the private sector to ensure they are sustainable and deliver society's culture, social and economic objectives.”

The government responded by saying that all festivals need to work towards supporting themselves and become less reliant on public funding.

(EF)