Bells chime in unison

London has been very supportive of Londonderry's bid for the City of Culture 2013 and Monday's event is an indication of the strengthening cultural links between the two cities.

"The City of London Festival" is London's annual international celebration of the arts.

Festival director Ian Ritchie participated in a 2008 arts conference in Londonderry at which local people expressed an interest in linking with this major international festival.

The Festival usually commences with a peal of the famous Bow Bells, at the church of St Mary le Bow and when Londonderry suggested that the St Columb's Cathedral bells could ring simultaneously, the festival organisers readily agreed.

The Cathedral bells were, of course, cast in the Whitechapel Foundry and were gifted to the Cathedral by London.

The Cathedral bells were led on Monday by Mr Aubrey Fielding and his enthusiastic team.

The Festival's "trading places" theme has explored and developed artistic and economic connections between the city and many parts of the world.

This year the spotlight falls on Portugal. Since 2010 is Chopin's bicentenary, the opening night features the Portuguese Chamber Orchestra playing Chopin's Piano Concerto No 2 - in London's Guildhall, where Chopin himself played the piano in public for the very last time.

This year's Festival will again feature weekly events in St Paul's Cathedral - which is celebrating its 300th anniversary, having been completed in 1610.

The three-week international Festival is of world class standard and local people see it as another way to advance the cultural life of Londonderry - perhaps a way to provide a platform for Londonderry's best musicians; perhaps to have London performers come to Londonderry afterwards.

As well as local musicians who have studied in London, St Cecilia's College has been leading the way with performances in London and other cities.

For further information see the packed Festival brochure at http://tinyurl.com/CofLFestival2010 - with a special insert on page eight about the first ever joint opening by Bow Bells and St Columb's