Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.
Thousands gathered to witness the grand finale of Bradford’s year as the UK City of Culture, marking the conclusion of a remarkable twelve months of artistic celebrations. The event featured a two-night outdoor performance of Brighter Still, presented in Myrtle Park after an earlier showing in Bingley. Hundreds of local residents composed the community cast, showcasing their talents through dance, poetry, and song. Emily Lim, co-director of the production, praised the participants, saying they had “done themselves and their city incredibly proud.”
Throughout its tenure as City of Culture, Bradford hosted around 5,000 major events, described by organizers as “big, bold and brilliant.” Highlights included the Turner Prize exhibition, and the influx of visitors resulted in a 25% rise in foot traffic in the city center. The culturally rich program culminated with Brighter Still, a performance that has drawn 5,000 ticket holders each night, making it one of the largest community participation events in Bradford’s history. More than 250 performers took part, among them a community ensemble of 90 locals aged between eight and 76, supported by professional dancers, musicians, and choirs.
This community cast’s involvement went beyond performing, as they helped shape and narrate the show, bringing to life a mosaic of stories drawn from the lived experiences of Bradford’s diverse populations. One participant, Gavin Wood, shared his sense of fulfillment, emphasizing his pride in being “Bradford born and bred.” He expressed optimism, saying the City of Culture initiative was helping reshape the city’s story towards a “more positive outlook.” Shanaz Gulzar, the creative director of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, described the production as a vibrant tribute to the city’s heritage, present, and future, highlighting the importance of putting local people “centre stage where they belong.”
The year-long celebration, which cost about £51 million, attracted an estimated audience of three million people. The funding came from a mix of ticket sales, fundraising efforts, and commercial ventures, with major grants including £15 million from the government, £10 million from Bradford Council, and £6 million from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority. Other standout moments of the year included a unique staging of The Railway Children inside an engine shed, a drone recreation of works by Bradford-born artist David Hockney, and festivities celebrating local brass bands. Darren Henley, chief executive of Arts Council England, emphasized how the City of Culture demonstrated the transformative power of culture, particularly for the city’s youth. West Yorkshire mayor Tracey Brabin also highlighted the lasting impact on young people’s confidence and identity, noting that those who appeared on stage were gaining skills and self-belief that would benefit them in many areas of life beyond the arts
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.