Coventry chosen as 2021 UK City of Culture
Coventry has been named as the UK’s City of Culture 2021.
The judges’ decision was revealed on the BBC One programme, The One Show, by the Culture minister John Glen.
Coventry was chosen ahead of four other shortlisted cities – Swansea, Stoke-on-Trent, Paisley and Sunderland – after more than two years of work and campaigning.
As the winning city it will receive a £3m Government grant to support the cultural celebrations. The West Midlands Combined Authority pledged £4m to Coventry’s plans earlier this week.
We are UK City of Culture 2021!! #ThisisCoventry #CityofCulture2021 pic.twitter.com/n4H3zOaFc1
— Coventry2021 (@Coventry2021) December 7, 2017
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.”
Judge Phil Redmond on a visit to Coventry
Coventry’s programme 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 its Cathedral with a major new lighting commission.
A 2.2 mile Ring Road poem is set to one of the digital centrepiece of 2021 along with major productions by the RSC 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.
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, added: “This is a clear message that the Midlands is working together as a team. Coventry has shown how partnerships make a real difference.
“This is a chance to help people realise that the city has so much to offer from its medieval past to its modernist architecture, creative talent and diverse youth.”
The UK City of Culture title was created because of the success of Liverpool ’08, when the Northern city was the European Capital of Culture. The UK title is awarded every four years, with Derry/Londonderry being City of Culture in 2013 and Hull are the current holders.
