The biggest arts festival in NI starts this weekend with dozens of cultural events scheduled, writes Carla Liébana.

The 47th Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queens will be get underway tonight and, during the next two weeks - from October 16 - 31 - more than 70 different international shows of high quality will be available for all the family to enjoy.

Once again, although it is mainly targeted at local people, the festival always attracts many foreign visitors too.

This year, in addition to the Waterfront Hall and the Grand Opera House it has also extended its venues, returning to the newly refurbished Ulster Hall as well as the Ulster Museum and innovative locations, such as Barrow Square, Clonard Monastery, May Street Church and the Synagogue in North Belfast

Valery Gergiev, one of the most charismatic musicians of 20th century, will be the responsible of opening the festival.

The renowned Russian director will conduct the Mariinsky Orchestra who will play Shostakovich's 7th symphony - The Leningrad.

But music will also be represented by multiple styles: it will be possible to enjoy a concert of the UK band Cornershop and also of Tinariwen, the guitar-poets from the southern Sahara - the icons of freedom and resistance.

The legendary musical theatre Barbara will also perform, too, having delighted audiences for more than 50 years around the word.

Among the many presentations scheduled, it's necessary to point to one - Noam Chomsky's talk: which is a valuable opportunity to listen one of the world's sharpest commentators on international affairs and the struggle for human rights.

Theatre lovers will be able to enjoy a lot of interesting and varied plays.

Shakespeare's 'Macbeth: Who is that Bloodied Man?', is a very special version of the classic tragedy, which includes trade-mark stilts, fire and motorbike chases.

'Straight for the Jugular' is another outstanding theatre production. DV8 Physical Theatre presents a story about experiences of gay people surrounded by violence and bigotry.

The festival has also organised art expositions and cinematographic cycles, as well as a number of events address especially to children.

In fact, in partnership with Belfast Children's Festival, Belfast City Hall will also have activities for all the family on Sunday October 18 - also marking the reopening of the building.

(CL/BMcC)