Big Mac, Listings To Go

Mariella Frostrup was at the Harbour Commissioner's Office in Belfast today to mark the imminent opening of the MAC building. Anyone who has followed the story of this prestige construction will know that it's been more than 15 years of effort, havoc, team heroics, brinkmanship and obstinacy.

Most days I get to walk past the site at St Anne's Square and the building is rapidly taking shape now. And at today's launch there was talk of the actual programming from April onwards. An exhibition of paintings by William Conor and LS Lowry. An unusual piece of Titanic Theatre by Owen McCafferty, literally scripted from the British Wreck Commissioner's Inquiry, 1912. Duke Special will curate some music and art for early September while for Xmas, Cahoots will deliver a production based on the Oliver Jeffers' The Incredible Book-Eating Boy.

The mood at the launch was naturally bright, with endorsements from artists, writers, music makers, political leaders and even a quote from Meryl Streep. Another moment to pinch yourself, to reflect on the arrival of the next bold project and to believe that the artistic import of Belfast is rising, irreversible.