Disappointment for Norwich
Despite being the bookies’ favourite to win, Norwich has missed out on becoming The City of Culture 2013. The title instead has gone to Derry/Londonderry in Northern Ireland. But many of the events planned as part of the bid will still go ahead.
There’s disappointment tonight after the Culture Secretary, Ed Vasey announced that Derry/Londonderry has been chosen as the City of Culture 2013. Norwich had been shortlisted to make it into the final 4. Speaking before the announcement, Ed Vasey said: “Whoever wins will have a massive opportunity to put culture at the heart of their city…”
Significantly the city misses out on the chance to attract investment estimated to the tune of £200 million, as well as a boost for grassroots art, theatre and culture. In Liverpool, the title of European City of Culture had a huge impact on the city, fuelling regeneration while also attracting new audiences to the arts. Birmingham and Sheffield were also knocked out.
But some of the events proposed for the bid will still go ahead in 2013. For example, to mark the start of the year of the UK City of Culture 100s of paper lanterns will be released into the skies over Norwich. Hundreds of young people will take part in a volunteer-led mass literacy project and a 1000 strong choir will sing at Carrow Road.
Comment
