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Joy as Derry wins City of Culture
16.07.10
by Linda McGrory
DERRY has made history after winning its bid to be
the first ever UK City of Culture in 2013. It was
announced last night that Northern Ireland’s Maiden
City took the judging panel’s vote, over the three
other shortlisted cities - Birmingham, Norwich and
Sheffield.
The momentous win means that in 2013, Derry will
play host to a year-long celebration of culture in
the city, opening its doors to visitors from across
the world. It is anticipated that people will come
in their thousands to experience the cultural life
that has been at Derry’s heart for generations. It
is likely the spin-off will also be felt in
neighbouring Inishowen. |
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The City of Culture bid
proposes a programme of joyous celebration and
purposeful inquiry with an ambitious cultural
programme leading up to and including 2013.
Mayor of Derry, Cllr Colum Eastwood, says the city’s
success will have a massive impact on the people and
economy of the city and paid tribute to everyone who
played a part in the winning campaign.
“As First Citizen I am privileged to be in a
position where I have had an insight into the
massive amount of work that has gone into this
successful bid. I would like to take this
opportunity to thank all the agencies, organisations
and individuals from our cultural champions to our
citizens who have helped with the bid. No job has
been too big.”
Chief Executive of Derry City Council, Valerie Watts
added: “This is a tremendous day for the city. We
have been given a once in a lifetime chance not only
to share our innate talent, creativity and energy
with the rest of the world, but also to transform
this region forever.”
Derry has plans to invest more than £200m in its
infrastructure to create a national cultural
treasure at Ebrington and pursue World Heritage
Status for the City Walls. It is anticipated year of
culture will ultimately create over 3,000 jobs,
double visitor numbers and reach out to communities
across Northern Ireland, the Republic, Britain and
the nine million Diaspora worldwide. |
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