The Catholic Church in Glasgow is challenging people to do something a little different from the tradition of giving up crisps of chocolate for Lent this year by taking in a play or an art exhibition instead.

The Archdiocese of Glasgow is encouraging locals to take part in its new six-week long arts festival, Lentfest 2008, which opens with a bread and water reception at a top Glasgow restaurant on Wednesday.

The Archdiocese is hoping that the festival will become a major highlight of Glasgow's cultural calendar.

Lentfest will serve the community with an imaginative fusion of arts and faith events across greater Glasgow, including live theatre, cinema, music, literary events, and visual arts exhibitions.

Highlights this year include the world premiere of a new composition by acclaimed composer James MacMillan, a concert by Aleksander Kudjczyk - or "Olek", the Polish concert pianist discovered working as a cleaner in Glasgow University, and a film and faith event with appearances by award-winning film-makers Norman Stone and Sergio Casci.

Also in the programme is a new travelling theatre production and a
public art exhibition to be held in St Patrick's Church in Anderston with work by a variety of artists on the theme of The Beatitudes, to be opened with a short concert by recording star Eddi Reader.

The programme promises wide appeal with everything from Gregorian Chant to gangster movies, while an education programme will also be open to all schools in the Glasgow area.

Festival director Stephen Callaghan, Manager of the Archdiocese of Glasgow Arts Project, came up with the idea of Lentfest as a means to restore the link between the church and the arts, and share Christian culture through the arts. His idea won the support of the Archbishop of Glasgow Mario Conti and was founded in October 2006.

Callaghan will make his own mark on Lentfest this year with his new play, "Feet of Clay" - to play at eight venues across the Glasgow area.

He said: "The idea of Lentfest developed from the setting up of the arts project itself. It seemed a natural progression to move to the establishment of an annual arts festival.

"Our ethos is broad ranging, embracing both the popular and the classical, the contemporary and the traditional. Content need not be overtly religious as art can be a vehicle for leading people towards faith."

Archbishop Conti said: "Our vision is for more churches, more schools, more artists and more community members to become involved in this annual opportunity for expressing, exploring and sharing Christian culture through the arts. "