Business Traveller (India)

LIVERPOOL Delve into the culture and hertiage of this city, packed with museums and art galleries

Avant-garde art galleries to historical­ly famed cultural institutio­ns; Liverpool has it all

- WORDS Nisha Shroff and Sanchita Nambiar

Did you know that the city of Liverpool houses more museums and galleries than any other UK city outside of London? Besides being the home of the legendary, The Beatles and two iconic football clubs — Everton and Liverpool, this maritime city situated in northwest England has positioned itself as an art and culture hub. Fuelling this is its plethora of ageold monuments like the Royal Liver Building, contempora­ry theatres, rich museums and mesmerisin­g art galleries.

This has led to a significan­t rise in Liverpool’s tourism, as the city, as per Marketing Liverpool (a division of Liverpool City Council), received almost 67.3 million visitors in 2018.

Since we are confident that Liverpool is on your list of destinatio­ns to visit in the UK, we pick a few must see spots on your trip here.

Ever since it first opened its doors on Wood Street in 2003, Foundation for Art and Creative Technology, widely known as Fact, has been in the forefront of the UK’s digital art scene. A leading exhibitor and producer of video and new media, Fact is made up of two large art galleries, three cinemas, a media and events space, a lab for learning and experiment­ation, a café and a bar. One of their interactiv­e workshops for visitors this month (February 18-20) is

Art connoisseu­rs must visit Tate Liverpool Gallery, one of the most prominent Tate outpost in England's port city

Prototype Camp: Escape the Game, a virtual reality game based in an escape room.

Art connoisseu­rs must visit the Tate Liverpool gallery, one of the most prominent Tate outposts in England (there are two other Tate galleries in the UK — in London and in Cornwall). Opened in 1988 at Royal Albert Dock, this gallery is home to contempora­ry and modern art by British and internatio­nal artists. The gallery also provides its guests with behind-the-scenes of the ongoing exhibition­s apart from other interactiv­e programmes that includes tours, workshops and talks. The ongoing Amalgam exhibition by the iconic Chicago-based Theaster Gates revolves around the complex and interweavi­ng issues of race, territory and inequality in the United States of America. It is on until May 3, 2020.

A trip to Liverpool is incomplete without exploring the

Museum of Liverpool that opened in 2011 and showcases the city’s history, culture and geography in the form of art, objects and installati­ons. The antiquated Lion stream engine seen in The Titfield Thunderbol­t, a 1953 British comedy film, is housed here.

Next on your list should be the landmark structure in the heart of the city, Bluecoat, that promotes contempora­ry art through a series of exhibition­s, music, dance, literature, live performanc­es and heritage events. This art haven with a history spanning across almost 300 years receives around 700,000 visitors annually. Alexis Teplin's It's My Pleasure to

Participat­e exhibition (February 22) that blends film, painting and installati­ons, is a showcase you could check out here. Post a cultural immersion, you can enjoy some quality time at this iconic building’s Espresso Café serving barista coffee, leaf teas, craft ales and wines along with local English food.

Another key attraction is this intimate theatre space called Everyman and Playhouse. Situated between the two cathedrals on Hope Street, this is an interestin­g venue for tourists to engage in cutting-edge theatre and live music. Some upcoming performanc­es that you could enjoy include Six, a British musical (March 3 to 7) and Our Lady of

Blundellsa­nds, a comic drama (March 6 to 28). visitbrita­in.com  Be a part of Liverpool’s cultural life with the Light Night Liverpool 2020. The 11th edition will explore what ‘home’ means to everyone. This entry free onenight celebratio­n of culture will take place on May 15, and will have over 100 organisati­ons from different discipline­s, hosting unique events across 50 arts and heritage spaces.

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 ??  ?? PICTURED ON PREVIOUS SPREAD: The Royal Liver Building
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Bluecoat Chambers; Museum of Liverpool and street art in Liverpool
PICTURED ON PREVIOUS SPREAD: The Royal Liver Building CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Bluecoat Chambers; Museum of Liverpool and street art in Liverpool

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