A reception was held by President Catherine Connolly to mark the countdown to the first Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann to take place in Belfast.
Belfast Fleadh is set to showcase music and dance from Ulster Scots, South Asian and other cultures, as part of the world's largest celebration of traditional Irish music, song and dance.
It is expected to bring around 800,000 visitors to the city from 2-9 August for the landmark cultural celebration.
Stormont Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald was among those who attended the event at Áras an Uachtaráin yesterday along with key partners and stakeholders involved with delivering the event next month.
Ms Archibald hailed an opportunity to boost tourism, support local businesses and showcase Belfast.
"I am proud that Belfast will host Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann next month and look forward to welcoming visitors from across Ireland and around the world," she said.
It is the first time the annual music festival has been held in Belfast and only the second time it has been held in Northern Ireland, after being hosted in Derry in 2013.
This year's event is set to be one of the most culturally diverse in its history, with cross-community participation and a celebration of traditions from across Northern Ireland and beyond.
Musicians and dancers from across the world aim to compete in the All-Ireland Fleadh music competition, with hopefuls from Ireland qualifying from county and provincial Fleadhs to earn their place.
As well as solo competitions for instruments such as fiddle, button accordion, uileann pipes, Irish harp and banjo, there are céilí band, grupaí cheoil, and accordion and pipe band competitions with participants from as far afield as the US, Australia, Dubai and Japan.
Traditional music sessions then emerge in pubs, restaurants, hotels and on streets across the city, welcoming musicians of all abilities.
In the centre of Belfast, the Gig Rig at City Hall will host large-scale outdoor performances with headline bands and acts as well as up-and-coming talents.
The opening ceremony of the Fleadh, titled Sharing Traditions, is a specially commissioned showcase designed to bring together Irish traditional music with Dhol drummers, Indian dancers, flute and pipe bands and Highland dancers.
Belfast composer Neil Martin will direct Connections, a multicultural performance on the Gig Rig in partnership with ArtsEkta.
Mr Martin, an uilleann piper and cellist, will lead a cast of musicians and dancers in a performance blending Irish music with influences from Africa, South Asia, the Middle East and Latin America.
There will also be an Ulster Bands showcase in the Titanic quarter in recognition of the city’s Unionist and Ulster Scots culture, led by the Belfast Bands Forum.
The Fleadh also features a programme of fringe events featuring dance, visual art, workshops, talks and storytelling.
One such fringe event will be presented by the NI Science Festival, called Neuromusicology, a live performance exploring the connection between the human brain and harp playing.
The MAC theatre will host a week-long Irish language programme, while the Corn Exchange will celebrate Ulster Scots language and cultural traditions.
An official Fleadh campsite for caravans and camping will operate with a dedicated shuttle service connecting visitors to the city centre in under 10 minutes.
A dedicated family campsite will also offer fully serviced facilities with 24-hour security for caravans, campervans and tents, alongside separate parking.
