THE World Irish Dancing Championships will get under way in Belfast this weekend.
More than 3,500 dancers from more than 20 countries will take part in the event at the Waterfront Hall and ICC.
Around 20,000 spectators and invited dignitaries will also gather for the event, which will take place from Sunday, April 10 until Sunday, April 17.
Michael Flately is among those who are expected to attend the opening ceremony, which is due to take place at 5.30pm on Sunday.
The ceremony, which will also be attended by the first World Champions from 1970, will include both video and live performances reliving the past 50 years of the championship event.
Each country has produced and choreographed its portrayal of The World Championships during each specific decade.
The performances will feature dancers from all different schools and many different countries which came together and worked with choreographers to develop each piece.
The event, which is taking place after two years of cancellations due to the Covid-19 pandemic, will celebrate "the irrepressible spirit of Irish dancers and Ireland’s resurgent culture of music and dance".
According to the organisers, the gathering will see "elite dancers from every corner of the globe" converge on Belfast and battle it out to become `Champions of the World'.
"On display will be some of the world’s most talented Irish dancers.
"The traditional aspects of Irish step dance will fuse with increasing athleticism, innovation in choreography and rhythm to bring us a modern and truly inspiring evolution of our cultural dance form".
