January 2025


THE eagerly anticipated Ballyscullion Park Book Festival will


its second year


www.nitravelnews.com


Ballyscullion Park Book Festival To Return in 2025 return for


Saturday 10 - Sunday 11 May 2025. A celebration of writing, music and art in the heart of Seamus Heaney country, the 2025 festival features an exciting programme of literary events,


panel


readings. Following


the success


discussions, of


and its debut


festival, the Ballyscullion Park Book Festival is set to become a key event in the literary calendar. The festival, held in the picturesque surroundings of Ballyscullion Park near Bellaghy in mid-Ulster, will bring together readers, writers and art lovers for an unforgettable weekend of cultural delights. This year’s festival promises to be


bigger and better, with a line-up of both new and returning authors, children’s writers, opinion formers, historians, poets, musicians and artists. Over the two days, attendees can choose from up to 50 talks, readings and panel discussions, as well as enjoying live music, local food stalls, artisan products and an art exhibition. Among the highlights will be Carlo Gébler author, playwright and teacher, Lyndsy Spence author, historian and


screenwriter and founder of The Mitford Society, Gareth Reid artist and ‘2023 Sky Portrait Artist of the Decade’, John Goodall historian, author, and Architectural Editor of Country Life magazine, Dr Heidi Edmundson Portrush-born novelist and Emergency Medicine consultant in London, Martina Devlin award-winning novelist and journalist and Dr Caroline Campbell Director of the National Gallery of Ireland. This year,


the festival is proud to


announce a charity partnership with NI Hospice. A percentage of profits from ticket sales will be made to NI Hospice, and a representative will be on hand at the festival to talk about the care provided by the hospice. Rosalind Mulholland Festival Director


said: “We are thrilled to announce the return of the Ballyscullion Park Book Festival for 2025. This year’s festival will feature an incredible mix of returning speakers and exciting new faces. We are also delighted to announce our charity partner for 2025 as NI Hospice. The 2024 festival exceeded all


expectations, and we are committed to building on that success by creating an even more vibrant and inspiring experience for all who attend. We look forward to welcoming returning and new visitors.”


THE LOCAL TOURIST | 59


Grand Opera House To Host State Ballet of The Nutcracker in 2025


THE Grand Opera House will host State Ballet of Georgia’s stunning production of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker


in November


2025. The company’s Northern Ireland debut marks the first full-scale narrative ballet on the Theatre’s iconic stage in over three years. With Tchaikovsky’s iconic score and enchanting story, The Nutcracker has captivated audiences over many decades, making it a Christmas staple and one of the world’s most popular ballets. Promising to be a spectacular event, this magical


audiences into a dreamlike world


production transports of


dancing snowflakes, the Sugar Plum Fairy, and the brave Nutcracker Prince, with dazzling choreography,


and


splendid costumes and sets. Tchaikovsky’s melodies provide the


backdrop to the timeless story of Clara, the young girl who receives a nutcracker as a gift and later falls asleep, dreams about a prince and follows their fantastical


journey together. From


the renowned ‘Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy’ to the vibrant ‘Waltz of the Flowers,’ every moment promises to be a visual feast for the senses as State Ballet


of Georgia’s 50 world-class dancers bring this timeless classic to life. Based at the stunning Opera and


Ballet State Theatre in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi, State Ballet of Georgia has gained international recognition under its Artistic Director, world- renowned former prima ballerina Nina Ananiashvili, famous for her work with the Bolshoi Ballet and American Ballet Theatre.


Nina Ananiashvili says, “I am


thrilled that my Company, the State Ballet of Georgia, will be coming to the Grand Opera House in 2025 with our Nutcracker. This will be our first visit in our 175-


year history and thus is long overdue. We have heard so much about the warmth and hospitality of Northern Ireland and the enthusiasm


of the


people for dance. We hope both to get to know you and give you an unforgettable performance of this best loved ballet.” Ian Wilson, Chief Executive of the


Grand Opera House, says, “We are delighted to welcome State Ballet of Georgia as it makes its Northern Ireland debut, and particularly pleased to welcome full length narrative ballet back to the Theatre’s historic stage.”


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