2005 is the 500th year anniversary of Bermuda�s discovery by Spanish ship captain, Juan de Bermudez. This year Bermuda will be hosting a wealth of exciting events, certain to attract visitors from all over the globe!

February

Bermuda Festival of the Performing Arts - 13th January �26th February The Bermuda Festival of the Performing Arts, now in its 30th year, announced a world-class line up for 2005. In addition to local performers, the festival features international acts from as far away as the Ukraine performing comedy, drama, music and dance. Performances include Rob Becker's �Defending the Caveman,� Great Men of Gospel, Alonzo King's LINES Ballet, �The Unexpected Man� by Yasmina Reza, Mozart's Don Giovanni, Flamenco in Concert, Moscow Chamber Orchestra and �Showstoppers!� The Best of the Gilbert and Sullivan Society. For further information visitwww.bermudafestival.com.

MARCH

Bermuda International Film Festival - 18th � 24th March The seventh Bermuda International Film Festival features the best independent films from around the world. The festival screens feature-length narrative, feature-length documentary and short films by an array of emerging talent as well as by more seasoned filmmakers. Past attendees include actors Michael Douglas and Willem Dafoe. Visitors are welcome to attend the opening and closing night parties as well as workshops on film-related topics. Individual tickets and passes are available. For further information visit www.bermudafilmfest.com.

Annual Good Friday Kite Festival - 25th March Flying kites has been a Good Friday tradition in Bermuda for decades. Families gather at Horseshoe Bay in Southampton, where activities include a kite competition, local entertainment, games, face painting, bouncy castle for the children, a tug 'o' war and much more. For further information visit www.upb.bm.

8th Annual Ladies Pro-Am Golf Classic - 4th � 10th March A ladies tournament limited to a maximum of 18 teams composing of one female golf professional and three lady amateurs held at the Port Royal Golf Course, Southampton.

76th Men�s Amateur Match Play Championship - 7th � 12th March A single golf match play men�s event held at the Mid Ocean Club. Ranked among the world�s top courses, this 18-hole championship course is typically Bermudian. The course offers cliff side tees, palm-tree lined fairways and dramatic ocean vistas. For further information visit www.bermudagolf.org.

APRIL

Virtual Spectator Bermuda Masters 2005 - 4th � 9th April The Bermuda Squash Racquets Association brings world-class squash to its island paradise. The five-star PSA tour event attracts the top 32 players in the world, including last year�s winner British born Lee Birchall, and is to be played over four days on an all-glass court. For further information visit www.bermudamasters.com.

XL Capital Bermuda Open - 11th � 17th April An Association of Tennis Professionals Challenger Tournament. Professional male tennis players from all over the world come to compete; past players include Patrick Rafter, Andy Roddick and Michael Chang. For further information visit www.xlcapitalbermudaopen.bm.

MAY

Heritage Month - May A month of cultural and sporting events to commemorate Bermuda's heritage. The highlight of Heritage Month is Bermuda Day (May 24), when the Bermuda Day Parade winds through several streets in the city of Hamilton, including Front Street before finishing at the Bermuda National Centre. (Parade begins at 1pm). For further information visit www.bermudatourism.com.

Bermuda End to End - 7th May The Bermuda End-to-End began 16 years ago as a walking challenge between three friends. Since that time the walk has evolved into one of Bermuda�s largest Charity Fundraisers where participants walk and cycle across the Island, as well as paddle, row, swim or dive in the warm Bermudian waters! Participation fee: $35. For further information visit www.bermudaendtoend.bm.

Bermuda Senior Amateur Golf Championship - 17th & 19th May Held at Riddell�s Bay Golf and Country Club, players of all standards can enter providing they meet the handicap limit of 54 for men and 36 for ladies. Entry Fee: Men: $250, Ladies: $175. For further information visit www.bermudagolf.org.

JUNE

The Queen�s Birthday Celebration - 13th June In Bermuda, the Queen's Birthday is a public holiday. Bermuda marks the official birthday of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II with a traditional military parade down Front Street.

Marion Bermuda Ocean Race - Starts 17th June The Marion Bermuda Ocean Race offers amateur cruising yachts, families and friends the opportunity to sail from Buzzard Bay, Massachusetts, USA to St. David's Head, Bermuda. 2005 is the 15th year this 645 nautical mile race has taken place proving popular with both local and visitors alike. For further information visit www.rhadc.com.

JULY

Bermuda Big Game Classic - 13th � 17th July The Bermuda Big Game Classic is a three-day big-fish team event with top team honours going to the team that tallies the most points during the tournament. The tournament also awards cash and prizes to the team(s) that catch the largest blue marlin, tuna, wahoo or dolphin (by weight). An additional release trophy and cash prize is awarded to the boat releasing the most billfish. Eligible species include: blue marlin, white marlin, spearfish, sailfish, tuna, wahoo and dolphin. For further information visit www.bermudabiggameclassic.com.

Cup Match Cricket Festival - 28th � 29th July Held at the Somerset Cricket Club, this two-day cricket match between East and West End cricket clubs is an annual favourite. The concurrent and equally important commemoration of both Emancipation Day, the 1834 freeing of Bermuda�s slaves and Somers� Day, which observes the discovery of Bermuda by Sir George Somers in 1609, make this festival a not-to-be-missed event for locals and visitors alike. For further information contact St. George's Cricket Club (441-297-0374).

Non Mariners Race - 29th July A fun water non-race using anything that may float, or not, as long as it�s not a boat! Non-boats can be made from picnic tables, bath tubs, four post beds etc, cannot have a sail or motor, but otherwise their means of propulsion can be anything. Every non-participant is a winner. There is no entry fee, but donations for charity are accepted. For further information visit www.bermudatourism.com.

SEPTEMBER

Sand Castle Competition - 5th September Annual Institute of Bermuda Architects' Sand Castle Competition, held at Horseshoe Bay Beach in Southampton. Categories includes Families, Children (under 12), Teenagers (13-19), Adults, Corporate and Tourists. Be creative on your own 10' x 10' building lot. Maximum of 6 people per team. Judging will begin at 5pm. There is an entry fee of $10 per lot in advance; $25 per lot at the event. Visitors are free! For further information contact Nicky Gurret on 441-295-4597 or email gurret@northrock.bm. OCTOBER

Bermuda Music Festival - 5th � 9th October This event always consists of a dazzling line up of acclaimed musicians performing a host of shows throughout the festival. International Artists in the past have included, Kenny G, Anita Baker, Seal and Isaac Hayes. Also performing with these artists are local talents. For further information visit www.bermudamusicfestival.com

Bermuda Golf Open for Men - 13th-16th October Taking place at the Port Royal Golf Course, the Bermuda Golf Open for Men is available to professional golfers and accomplished amateurs with a USGA Handicap Index of 5.4 (or a handicap of 6 or less if your country does not use the Handicap Index system). For further information visitwww.bermudagolf.org. King Edward VII Gold Cup - October (dates tbc) Hosted by the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, the King Edward VII Gold Cup is the oldest match racing trophy for competition involving One Design yachts. This event, which is part of the Swedish Match Tour, will see a total of 24 world-class teams compete for the coveted King Edward VII Gold Cup. For further information visit www.kingedwardviigoldcup.com.

NOVEMBER

World Rugby Classic - 6th -13th November One of the most popular events on the international sporting calendar, the Classic has achieved an enviable reputation for great rugby and social events � all in the superb setting of Bermuda. The tournament features eight countries and in the past has welcomed some of the world�s top former international players, such as legendary All Black captain Wayne �Buck� Shelford, wingers Mike Harrison and Nigel Heslop, ex Springbok�s Brendan Venter and Theo Van Rensberg and British Barbarians� Jason Leonard and Ben Clarke. Similar ex-international stars are expected in 2005. For further information visit www.worldrugby.bm.

Bermuda Culinary Arts Festival - November (Dates tbc) Connoisseurs of exquisite cuisine, elegant dining and fine wine will find the island teeming with a star�studded selection of world renowned gourmet chefs. The festival will feature cooking demonstrations, wine and food tastings, seminars conducted by celebrity chefs, live entertainment and tours. Visitors have the opportunity to sample both international culinary masterpieces and authentic Bermudian delicacies prepared by local chefs. Featured chefs from past festivals include London�s own Ashbell McElveen from the award winning restaurant Ashbell�s in Notting Hill. For further information visit www.bermudaculinaryarts.com.

DECEMBER Bermuda Goodwill Golf Tournament for Men - 3rd � 9th December 53rd edition of this popular pro-am takes place at five of Bermuda's challenging golf courses, Riddell�s Bay Golf and Country Club, Mid Ocean Club, Tucker�s Point Club, Port Royal Golf Course, Belmont Hills Golf Club. For further information visit the website www.bermudagoodwill.org.

Christmas Boat Parade - 10th December Boats of all shapes and sizes will be decked out in the seasons finest for the annual Christmas Boat Parade. This spectacular illuminated display of yuletide festivity sets sail at 6:30 p.m. from the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club and is sponsored by the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI). For further information visit www.bermudaboatparade.bm.

For further information on Bermuda, visit www.bermudatourism.com or call 020 8410 8188 for a free information pack.

For further press information contact:

Helen Wilson / Suzanne Seyghal Tel: 020 7202 6387 / 6371 Fax: 020 7928 0722 Email: helenwilson / suzanneseyghal @hillsbalfour.com Add: Hills Balfour, 36 Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 9EU