Watermusic - the Baghdaddies in concert at Durham
Durham, home to one of Europe’s finest Cathedrals and England’s third oldest University, has confirmed it will bid for the new UK City of Culture prize launched by Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw.
The bid spearheads a new programme of culture led regeneration aimed at enhancing economic improvements across the rural county.
Durham is admired as one of Britain’s finest small heritage cities. The physical beauty of the city’s skyline, dominated by the UNESCO World Heritage site of Norman Cathedral and Castle, places the city on a par with the ancient Pyramids of Egypt or the Taj Mahal palace in India.
The city has inspired writers like Bill Bryson to call it “a perfect little city” (Notes from a Small Island 1991). In support of the bid Bryson says, “My long standing love affair with Durham is well known as I have, without hesitation, lavished praise on its architecture, heritage, gardens, river. The more time I spend in the company of the people of Durham, the more I have come to realise that there really must be something in the water here.
“For passion, creativity, an array of peerless assets and attractions and a palatable sense of community, Durham really is the perfect place,” said Bryson who is Chancellor of the University of Durham.
Yet, large areas of rural County Durham remain challenged by rising levels of unemployment made worse by the recession and rooted in the decline of coal mining, the county’s former industrial mainstay.
Paul Gudgin, former director of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and consultant to Durham’s bid, says: “While the 2008 Capital of Culture has had well documented impacts for Liverpool, a successful bid could have a completely transforming effect on a city and county on the scale of Durham.
“Glasgow and Liverpool represented attempts to revitalise large, post-industrial cities through culture. We have the opportunity to show that awarding UK City of Culture to Durham will represent a real contrast to the two European versions hosted to date.”
As the government provides British cities with a national platform to celebrate their culture, County Durham is motivated to demonstrate its cultural credentials and the potential they bring for social and economic change.
A partnership of organisations in County Durham, led by Durham County Council, will enter Durham – its historic capital city – in the national culture prize.
The bid will reveal its undiscovered potential and its growing reputation for live cultural events and celebration of the arts. Its bid centres on three thematic strands Creative Durham, Festival Durham and Cultural City, Cultural County, ambitious programmes of activities, festivals and events to enhance cultural life and demonstrate the city’s ability to welcome and entertain large audiences interested in the arts, theatre and live music.
Leader of Durham County Council, Dr Simon Henig, said: “The people of Durham have been shaped by a diverse and essentially rural landscape and by a history which is full passion and an enduring work ethic and community spirit.
“This bid presents an opportunity to create jobs and generate investment into the creative, retail and hospitality sectors of the county.”
There is widespread support for the proposals. Professor Chris Higgins, Vice Chancellor of Durham University says, “Durham is home to one of the most prestigious universities in the country that competes on the world stage. Cultural activities are central to our strategy and core to the education and experience we give our students.
“We have amongst our students some of the most motivated and talented young performers and artists from around the world and a very high proportion of students participate in music, theatre and the arts while at the University. We fully support Durham’s bid and look forward to playing a central role in helping Durham compete for this prestigious accolade.”
