Derry will become the first UK City of Culture in 2013, it was announced tonight.
The news was met with jubilant scenes in Northern Ireland’s second city and at the official announcement in Liverpool.
The City of Culture title, which comes with no Government funding, is designed to help areas boost their economy through tourism and the creative industries. Derry had been vying for the status against Birmingham, Norwich and Sheffield.
Bid organisers believe the City of Culture accolade could bring up to 3,000 badly needed jobs to the city and boost its tourism potential. Derry has the highest unemployment in Northern Ireland and many of its most deprived estates.
Culturally the city is on a strong footing, its jazz festival attracted over 300 performers and 30,000 people. Derry also hosts one of the largest Halloween festivals in Europe.
James Kerr, executive director of the Verbal Arts Centre, explains that Derry “has loads of history, but it is contentious history”. The city of culture bid offers a chance to “crack the cultural code” to offer “purposeful inquiry” into what has happened inside and outside the famous city walls either 300 or just 30 years ago.
“Derry is offering both cultural celebration and examination. We could be a model for elsewhere,” he argues. “Prejudice is defeated firstly intellectually, then legally and – finally – emotionally. And that is where culture comes in.”
“For too long Derry has been associated with its recent past. The city of culture designation would allow people to go beyond the perception, experience the real Derry and appreciate it as a unique place of talent, creativity and warmth.” So says actor Gabriel Byrne.
Additional Reporting: PA