THIS week will see the start of one of Glasgow's most exciting events as the Merchant City Festival comes alive in the heart of the city.

This is the 12th Merchant City Festival and over the years it has firmly established itself as a cornerstone of Glasgow's cultural calendar.

As Leader of the council and chairman of the Merchant City Festival I'm looking forward to being among an expected audience of 100,000 people who will enjoy some of the sights, sounds and
performances between tomorrow and Sunday.

People can enjoy more than 100 events and performances, many of which are free to attend, and which will take place in venues throughout the
Merchant City,
establishing the area as Glasgow's cultural quarter.

If you enjoy live music, clubbing, fashion, film, comedy, theatre, or visual arts, there is something for you at the Merchant City Festival.

This year I am delighted that we have secured the involvement of Wayne and Gerardine Hemingway, who will bring their Vintage Festival to Glasgow as part of the Merchant City Festival.

Vintage Glasgow will celebrate seven decades of British cool, celebrating music, fashion, film art, dance food and design from the 1920s to the 1980s.

Also on the fashion theme we will have a spectacular Great Gatsby themed 1920s Catwalk Show; film fans can enjoy some classic movies free of charge at the vintage Saturday Cinema Club; and the Briggait will even play host to a roller disco.

With one year to go until the Commonwealth Games arrive in Glasgow, the Merchant City Festival will host a number of events to celebrate the influence of the commonwealth on Glasgow and to look ahead to the excitement of 2014, when the eyes of the world turn to Glasgow.

There are also a number of exciting club events for all musical tastes, including northern soul classics, rockabilly and rhythm and blues, and even a 1920s dance event where you can learn the Charleston.

And of course, if you just want to relax over a drink or coffee, then the Merchant City is home to a vibrant café culture and has some of Glasgow's best restaurants, bars and shops.

The wealth of music, culture and artistic vision that will be on show across the five days of the festival are a reflection of the fantastic arts organisations and venues Glasgow has to offer.

BY ATTRACTING events of the calibre of Vintage to Glasgow it reinforces our position as Scotland's cultural powerhouse.

These highlights also demonstrate our ability to deliver a world-class cultural programme for the Commonwealth Games in 2014.

Let's hope that the sun shines and I'm sure we'll top last year's record breaking festival.

The 2013 Merchant City Festival promises to be the best one yet.

For updates on festival events and performances as they are added to the programme follow @MerchCityFest on Twitter or visit www.
merchantcityfestival.com