What is the European Capital of Culture Award?
The European Capital of Culture award is given to a small handful of cities every calendar year after they have submitted worthy bids for the title. The winning cities are able to use the award as a spring board to showcase their cultural transformation to the international community.
For any city that does manage to achieve this sought after accolade a wonderful year of international attention awaits that will boost tourism and the economy.
Read more about the European Capital of Culture Award
Liverpool winning the award
Liverpool used the slogan “The world in one city” as its motto towards winning the European Capital of Culture award. As part of its bid Liverpool touted tourism, creative industry and culture as its base for regeneration, this included the building of the huge waterfront complex Liverpool arena and convention centre among others.
Part of the strengths that also supported Liverpool’s bid is the 2,500 listed buildings and some 250 plus public monuments. Further to this there is the fact that Liverpool has the fifth largest Cathedral in the world and the largest collection of art from Europe outside of London.
Liverpool as the European Capital of Culture
Throughout 2008 Liverpool pushed the boundaries to show the world just what an immense city it is.
Liverpool started its year as the European Capital of Culture with a star studded opening ceremony outside St. Georges Hall. Following this awe inspiring opening ceremony Liverpool exhibited an audacious piece of art in the shape of a giant mechanical spider that made its way down one of Liverpool’s large buildings and onto the waterfront.
For the rest of 2008 Liverpool made many ground breaking and boundary pushing events in the areas of the performance & arts, music, conversation and literature, sports and street to support its year as the city that is the European Capital of Culture.
Recommended further reading about Liverpool – European Capital of Culture
Visit the Liverpool Capital of Culture 2008 website
Read news of continuing investment in Liverpool :
£12.8 million investment in Liverpool and Merseyside Theatres Trust – reported by the Northwest Regional Development Agency
Find out what’s on in your Liverpool for 25th – 31st July
What’s on in Liverpool by Catherine Jones at the Liverpool Echo
Discover the University of Liverpool’s extensive studies into the impact of the award on Liverpool: