The Apprentice Boys of Derry yesterday announced details of the first Maiden City Festival, a week of events aimed at educating people about the ethos of the loyalist organisation.
The festival, which begins next Saturday, will include street pageants, lectures, dramas, comedy sketches and a traditional Ulster folk night before ending with the annual parade through the city centre.
Mr William Moore, general secretary of the Apprentice Boys, said there was a serious side to the festival. "We appreciate the opportunity to be able to share the celebration of cultural freedom with all the communities of the city.
"We hope that through our openness, and in showing a willingness to explain and expand understanding of our culture and heritage, we will enhance diversity and mutual respect among the people of Derry." The festival organisers have included a list of 16 questions frequently asked about the Apprentice Boys. To the question, "Is it true that Roman Catholics are excluded from the Apprentice Boys Association?", the initial sentence in the written reply is, "Yes it is, along with anyone else who does not profess Christ through the Reformed Protestant faith, and we make no apology for that."
In further replies, the Apprentice Boys said they are not "a secret organisation working against the Roman Catholic church", nor do members swear an "anti-Roman Catholic oath and agree not to attend Roman Catholic religious services".