WE’VE GOT IT! Cov named as UK City of Culture 2021
COVENTRY has been named as the UK City of Culture 2021.
The city is now gearing up for one of the biggest years in its history after being named as the winner live on last night’s The One Show.
Coventry beat off strong competition from Paisley, Stoke, Sunderland and Swansea to win the prestigious national title.
Organisers say that work will start straight away to deliver the plans for an incredible 12 months that were set out in the city’s bid to the Department for Digital, Media, Culture and Sport.
Laura McMillan, manager of the Coventry City of Culture Trust, said: “This is a win for Coventry, a win for young people and a win for diversity.
“The economic impact will be huge for the city and the West Midlands.
“It’s been a bid by and for the people of Coventry. It has brought so many people and organisations together and this is just the start.
“Over the next three years we will ensure that everyone in the city, which has been moving people by cycle, car and jet engine, is now moving people through culture.”
David Burbidge, chair of the Coventry City of Culture Trust, said: “I must thank Coventry City Council, Coventry and Warwick Universities, the West Midlands Combined Authority and every business, artist and individual that has supported us along the way. In just two years this bid has put Coventry back on the map.
“I am so proud of everyone involved and now we are determined to put on the greatest show that Coventry has ever seen.”
While a delighted Coventry City Council leader, George Duggins, said: “I am delighted we have been named UK City of Culture 2021 - it’s the Christmas present we were all hoping for and it means so much for our city.
“We knew we had put together a very strong bid, but we were up against some excellent competition and I’d like to thank and congratulate all those who have helped to show what a wonderful City of Culture we will be.
“Since we announced our intention to bid, we have seen the incredible effect it has had, with a staggering variety of events and exhibitions that have brought people together and breathed new life into our city.
“I can only imagine what’s to come over the next four years as we build on that.”
Coventry’s programme after being named UK City of Culture 2021 will include a Streets of Culture programme co-producing work in local communities.
The first build-up event will be the UK’s first Shop Front Theatre Festival in March 2018 and the city will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the city’s iconic cathedral with a major new lighting commission.
A 2.2-mile Ring Road poem is set to be one of the digital centrepieces of 2021, along with major productions by the Royal Shakespeare Company and the screening of the entire works of Shakespeare in iconic locations.
An artist-led festival called ‘Moments of Silence’ will create moments of silence and beauty and reflect on the city’s 700-year-old Carthusian monastery Charterhouse and play on the myth of being ‘Sent to Coventry.’
Building on the success of 95-year-old Indian Photographer Masterji’s exhibition, the city will develop a project Tale of Two streets that looks at two of the most diverse streets in Britain through the eyes of photographers.
Reacting to the bid’s win, John Latham, Vice Chancellor of Coventry University, said: “Our city continues to defy expectations.
“Everyone who helped make us UK City of Culture, including staff at Coventry University, backed the bid with heart and hard work.
“We unlocked renewed energy and purpose that has already changed Coventry forever and our task now is to share that creativity and civic pride across our region, the whole of the UK, and beyond.”
Stuart Croft, Vice Chancellor of the University of Warwick, said: “As I say to all of our students when I greet them on arrival to the University; Coventry is a great city.
“As a community in this great city we have worked together as never before to achieve this exceptional result.
“Coventry will put on the greatest UK City of Culture year ever! The bid team have been wonderful.
“I am very proud of the part that the University of Warwick has played in this.”
Coventry is now in line for up to £3million of National Lottery funding to help celebrate its heritage.
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has made the funding available after successfully investing the same amount into Hull, this year’s City of Culture winner.
Ros Kerslake, chief executive of the Heritage Lottery Fund, said: “Congratulations Coventry! From The International Transport Museum to The Herbert Art Gallery, HLF has invested over £36m into the city’s heritage so we know just how special it is and its importance to its identity, economy and communities.
“Whether a famous landmark or an untold family story, the eyes of the UK and beyond are turning to Coventry and we’re delighted.”
Nick Eastwood, chief executive of Wasps and the Ricoh Arena, said: “We are proud to have supported Coventry’s bid to be UK City of Culture from very early on and we are absolutely thrilled that the city has won this massive and prestigious title.
“We will do everything we possibly can from now until 2021 to help prepare for what should be a historic 12 months in the city’s history.”