An  ambitious and varied programme of arts and culture was launched in Derry yesterday as the city prepares to host the UK City of Culture in 2013.

Among the hundreds of events taking place in Derry next year are the Turner Prize, which will be presented outside England for the first time, a new commission by the London Symphony Orchestra, a new play by American playwright Sam Shepard, performances by the Royal Ballet, the All Ireland Fleadh, which will be staged in Northern Ireland for the first time, the return of the Field Day theatre company which was founded in Derry in 1980, an address by Nobel laureate Seamus Heaney and a spectacular Return of Colmcille river event.

The 102-page programme also includes national and international sporting events, arts and music festivals, community events as well as numerous festivals which will be staged on the city’s historic walls and in local community centres.

Thousands of programmes were brought downstream on the River Foyle on a motor boat yesterday morning before being distributed to dozens of citywide locations by teams of athletes.

Speaking at the formal unveiling of the programme in Ebrington Square overlooking the river Foyle, the city’s mayor, Cllr Kevin Campbell, said the time had now come for the people of Derry to take their place on the world stage of the arts and culture.

Derry-born Phil Coulter, who was also at yesterday’s launch, said the range and variety of events was spectacular.