For many years there has been a close link between our very own Belfast City and the iconic music city of Nashville. The region’s connection with Tennessee dates from the Scots-Irish settlement of the area in the eighteenth century to the diverse relationships and cultural ties that link Belfast and Nashville today. Belfast has been an official sister city of Nashville, since 1995 in a partnership focusing on social projects, education, and musical and cultural exchange.

This year running from April into May, Belfast City Council have a whole host of events planned to celebrate this special connection. Nashville in Belfast will celebrate our cities’ connections through food, our Nashville-themed Twilight Market at St George’s, live music, film, documentary discussions, exhibitions, family-fun events and history.

Michael King from the famous Monell’s restaurant in Nashville will be in town to present some authentic Deep South cuisine. Grammy award-winning Kristian Bush of Sugarland will headline a show at the Ulster Hall and critically acclaimed country singer Mandy Barnett, will perform at Belfast Waterfront with the Ulster Orchestra in a special Nashville-themed concert.

Events take place across the city from Saturday 28 April – Sunday 6 May 2018, full details on the event schedule can be found at www.belfastcity.gov.uk/NashvilleinBelfast