Coventry City of Culture: Round up of Coventry Moves
On Saturday 5 June 2021, Coventry Moves unfolded across the city of Coventry as a major all-day performance took place across the entire city.
Last updated 8th Jun 2021
Directed by Justine Themen and created with, and by, the people of Coventry, it was the first major event of the city’s year as UK City of Culture, and the first event of this scale to be presented in the UK since the arrival of the pandemic.
It was experienced in every ward of the city through pop-up performances, processions of bikes and vintage cars, musical compositions and mash-ups and set piece installations.
In total there were over 500 people involved, including 350 on the day participants of which 150 were freelance creatives, artists and crew and 200 were volunteers.
It featured 43 performances across the day, reaching all 18 wards of the city and passing through 400 streets. This huge undertaking featured six well-known personalities known as the ‘The Energies’ who were chosen to represent the personality of the city and 14 modern day Godivas selected by public nomination, riding on 10 horses and four pedicabs.
On arrival in University Square the Godivas presented their manifesto for social justice in the city to 23 female elected representatives from the city, who pledged to work with them to take this forward and make lasting change in Coventry.
Performances and pop-ups around the city were made possible by 50 vintage and heritage Coventry made cars in cavalcades with Bhangra, Ska and Irish Dancers covering 50 miles of the city’s suburbs; three custom artist made trikes leading 10 miles of cycle processions containing 35 bicycles as well as 10 miles of walking processions. This was supported through 5 electric taxis; 15 support vehicles and 20 production vehicles. Performances were amplified through 120 battery powered speakers.
Throughout the day, a crew captured the action as it happened and broadcast this live on the City of Culture website. It was enjoyed by thousands in Coventry in 88 countries around the world via livestream, broadcast and social media.
There were over 100,000 views across platforms on the day of Coventry Moves with engagement from 67 countries. 12,000 users engaged with coventry2021.online throughout the day.
A huge schools programme involved over 7000 children across 70 schools to create the Cofa’s Tree installation in Broadgate, as well as forming the heart of Dan Jones’ radio composition Coventry Moves Together, which was broadcast in 9 different streams by 9 separate local radio stations.
Coventry Moves provided a playful and engaging introduction to the city, its stories and its people. The day-long event culminated in a glorious finale with Coventry Moves Together - a monumental and ambitious piece of music by composer and sound artist Dan Jones. This was heard across the city as thousands tuned in to one of nine radio stations to play different streams of the composition, turning the whole city into an orchestra. A film of this moment is available here.
Coventry UK City of Culture 2021 began on 15 May 2021, running for 12 months. Postponed due to the impact of the pandemic, the programme of events, music, dance, theatre, and large-scale spectacles invites citizens and visitors alike to come together once more for great live experiences and moments to remember.
Chenine Bhathena, Creative Director of Coventry UK City of Culture, said: "Coventry Moves has given the world a taste of what this wonderful city has to offer. It has been a truly people-powered event and an historic moment of shared experience across communities in the city and beyond.
"It was great to have so many amazing Coventry artists taking part from the city showing off their creativity. I hope all Coventrians felt pride in seeing their home in the spotlight. We hope that everyone watching further afield is excited about visiting soon because we have a whole year of amazing events for you all to enjoy.”
Justine Themen, Director of Coventry Moves said: "After so long in the making, it was so gratifying and moving to see Coventry Moves take place. It was a unique collective event made possible in these difficult times by the unwavering passion and dedication of everyone involved. Although we couldn’t all be together in person to celebrate, there was such a strong sense of community that was a privilege to be part of."
Cllr George Duggins, Leader, Coventry City Council said: "Today has once again proved what an innovative and creative city Coventry is.”
"The day was a celebration of the city’s past, present and future and I’m sure provided an excellent showcase for our wonderful city, especially as we know the title of UK City of Culture brings attention onto the city from across the country and wider.
"Coventry Moves is part of what I’m sure will be an exciting events programme over the coming year which is such an exciting time of change and opportunity for the city.
"Coventry’s year as UK City of Culture is transforming the city and building something very special for everyone and I would urge everyone to be a part of it, to enjoy it and to see just what our city can do."
Culture Minister Caroline Dinenage said: "Coventry Moves perfectly showcases the spirit of Coventry and its residents. Events like this one, which bring people together through culture to celebrate the places they love, are what make the City of Culture year so important. I'm looking forward to watching Coventry's creativity continue through 2021 and beyond."
Darren Henley, Chief Executive, Arts Council England, said: "Coventry is known for its innovation and creativity, and the city demonstrated those traits in such an amazing fashion, when the eyes of the nation were on them."