New director for Dublin Fringe Festival

Mr Wolfgang Hoffman, a 37-year-old German, is to take over as director of the Dublin Fringe Festival in November.

Mr Wolfgang Hoffman, a 37-year-old German, is to take over as director of the Dublin Fringe Festival in November.

Mr Hoffman, who will succeed Australian Mr Vallejo Gantner, is co-founder and director of Fabrik Potsdam and artistic director of the Aurora Nova programme at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, which starts this weekend.

Ms Emile Daly, chairwoman of the annual three-week long ESB Dublin Fringe Festival, said: "Wolfgang's international renown as a programme director in Edinburgh and Potsdam precede him.

"In particular, his work with the Aurora Nova programme in the Edinburgh Fringe has re-energised that festival. His knowledge and vision of the arts from cultures unseen in this country is truly remarkable.

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"His understanding as a programmer, performer and director of new forms of theatre will excite and inspire Dublin artists and audiences."

Mr Hoffman, who is to move to Dublin from Potsdam in November, commented that he was "looking forward to sinking my teeth into the Fringe".

"It has tremendous potential to develop as a leading European showcase of exciting work from all over the world," he added.

Mr Vallejo Gantner has been director since 2002.

This year's Fringe runs from September 20th to October 10th; the programme will be announced on August 24th, with tickets on sale from the 25th.