UK City of Culture: Northern Ireland represented in shortlist
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough has been shortlisted to compete for the coveted UK City of Culture title.
The ABC borough will be receive £40,000 to help in its bid.
It will compete alongside Bradford, Cornwall, County Durham, Derby, Southampton, Stirling and Wrexham County Borough to become UK City of Culture 2025, taking over the accolade from Coventry.
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said: "Winning the UK City of Culture competition has a hugely positive impact on an area, driving investment, creating jobs, and highlighting that culture is for everyone, regardless of their background.
"This year's focus is on levelling up access to culture across the country and making sure there is a legacy that continues for generations to come. I look forward to seeing what this brilliant longlist has in store as they continue in the competition.''
All the bids were asked to include information on how they intended to use culture to recover from the coronavirus pandemic, as well as how they would use culture to grow and strengthen their local area.
Ms Dorries will also host a roundtable with all unsuccessful bidders to discuss how best they can be supported.
Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis said: "I am delighted that Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, and Northern Ireland, continues to be represented in the longlist for the prestigious UK City of Culture 2025 title.
"Northern Ireland has a wonderful heritage in this competition, with Derry-Londonderry being a previous winner in 2013. I have no doubt that Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon will showcase the very best of what Northern Ireland has to offer the UK.
"I wish the bid every success ahead of the final decision next year.''
And Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough, Alderman Glenn Barr added: “Submitting the bid for Armagh City and the surrounding borough has provided a welcome focus for the Culture, Arts, and Tourism sector in the region, which has been severely impacted in the past 20 months by the pandemic.
"The bidding process has created fresh energy and excitement around what we often take for granted – our unique qualities, originality, cultural and heritage. It has forced us to look at things with a fresh pair of eyes, and sparked wider conversations and a greater collective drive to lift the region to a new level internationally.
“Although this bid will focus on Armagh and the surrounding borough, the wider impact for cultural regeneration associated with it across Northern Ireland will be significant if it is successful - and we’re one step closer to making that happen.”