Plans to bring the Giants back to Liverpool
Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson has confirmed he's organised talks to bring the Giants back to Liverpool for 2018
The Mayor of Liverpool has confirmed he's arranged talks with Wirral council and Jean Luc (the man behind the Giants) in the next couple of weeks.
There are hopes of bringing them back to Merseyside in 2018 to celebrate ten years since Liverpool was made Capital of Culture.
It forms part of wider plans to host a series of significant events, exhibitions, seasons and performances which will shine a light on the importance of culture in the city.
Last night Joe Anderson confirmed to Radio City News that early discussions are place that could potentially see the return of some of the most iconic Royal de Luxe’s Giants and the Tall Ships fleet which made a splash in 2008 - both a nod to the success of the last ten years.
2018 will be a monumental year for the city with important anniversaries including the 30th birthday of Tate Liverpool, the 20th anniversary of Liverpool Biennial and ten years of ACC Liverpool and Liverpool ONE.
Eighteen for 18 will be integrated into the city’s cultural calendar to attract audiences of around five million people, creating upwards of £50million economic impact and push Liverpool to the top of the ‘must-visit’ cities in 2018.
Mayor Anderson said: “We want everything we do in 2018 to build on the wonderful work which has taken place in the city since 2008. 2018 will be the next watershed year in the history of Liverpool and one which will make everyone who lives here proud, and everyone that doesn’t live here wonder why they don’t!
“Our official culture year quite rightly gets huge public and media recognition, but it is the years that followed which I am most proud of, the years which have seen us build on that success. “We didn't treat 2008 as a one off firework display that fizzled out, turning the lights off when everyone had gone home.
“The last four years alone have seen major events generate £177million for the local economy – which is why government of culture is so integral to this city and why I pushed for it to be at the heart of our devolution deal.”
Liverpool’s cultural sector directly employs 2,000 people and brings in £11 for every £1 invested.
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