WHEN: Thursday 20 May 2010
TIME: 12.00 noon
WHERE: Junction of High Street and New Street, Birmingham City Centre (close to the main entrance to the Bullring)
Showcasing the diverse talent that is at the heart of Birmingham’s bid, street dancers and musicians will be performing outside the Bullring shopping centre on Thursday 20th May as advocates of the bid and local people are invited to add their signatures in support of Birmingham’s final application which will be submitted to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport tomorrow.
The bid is the result of months of hard work after Birmingham was successfully shortlisted in February and the signatures will show the government, and independent judging panel, the wealth of support behind Birmingham’s bid to be the first UK City of Culture in 2013 from local people.
Over 20,000 local people and organisations have contributed to, or participated in, the bid process which has resulted in a creative and exciting programme for 2013. The bid offers something for absolutely everyone, showcasing the city’s international cultural icons and talented local stars and leaves behind a powerful economic, cultural and social legacy.
Birmingham is offering the judging panel an innovative, collaborative and deliverable bid, from a city which already has a track record of hosting major events with confidence, expertise and a warm local welcome.
Bidding for the title has already seen an increase in local people getting the “culture habit” by becoming more engaged in a wide variety of activities taking place in the city; increased promotion of cultural activities as well as a step change in the image of the city as a vibrant and appealing and exciting place to live, work and visit.
Advocates and supporters of the bid together with senior members of the bid team, including Cllr Martin Mullaney, Chair of the Birmingham Cultural Partnership and Sharon Lea, Executive Director – Culture and Environment, will be available for interview during the event.
Cllr Mullaney said: “A lot of hard work has gone into the bid and everyone has played a part – from our major cultural organisations through to individuals at grassroots level in every community.
“The people of the city have been engaged throughout the process and the high level of support has been amazing. I’m proud to say there’s a collective determination in Birmingham to be named the first ever UK City of Culture.
“This bid has been shaped by the people of Birmingham and, with our track record of hosting major international events, I have no doubt our wonderful city would give the United Kingdom a City of Culture to be proud of.”
Other interviewees will include Soweto Kinch, the renowned jazz saxophonist, Urban Artist, Temper; Pete Ashton of the Created in Birmingham Shop; sports presenter, Gary Newbon; award-winning poet, Spoz (real name Giovanni Esposito); Ammo Talwar MBE, Director of Punch Records; Reuben Colley, Landscape Artist and Adrian Johnson, Birmingham’s Poet Laureate.
Entertainment will be provided by local street dancers, dhol drummers and an Irish piper, to represent the communities and cultural diversity of the city.
Click on the following link for a copy of The case for Birmingham – a summary of the unique strengths of the city’s bid is attached to this photocall notice.
ENDS
For further information please contact: Nick Britten on 07896 950699, Deborah Smith on 07881 500557 or Geoff Coleman on 303 3501.
Further information about Birmingham’s UK City of Culture bid can be found at http://birminghamculture.org/
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