LIVERPOOL TO RULE EUROPE IN 2008
Steffan Jones, readaBet.com
Click here for European Capital of Culture Odds.
The European ‘City of Culture’ was launched in 1985 by the European Union. Each year a different city within the E.U. is given the award with the aim of using culture to bring European citizens closer together.
Glasgow, in 1990, was the last British city to be given the title and it benefited greatly from this in short and long term investment, regeneration and prestige. Being given the title is estimated to be worth between 10-15 million pounds in free tourism advertising for the city alone. From 2005 the City of culture will be known as the European Capital of Culture and in 2008 it will once again be the turn of a city in the United Kingdom. Considering the outstanding potential socio-economic benefits for the chosen city it is no surprise competition for the title is intense.
The Council of Europe makes the annual award and although there is no strict criteria to win, cities must demonstrate their capability to host a year long programme covering a broad range of culture that appeals to locals and visitors alike. Also taken into consideration is the use of the arts to regenerate local economy and erode social barriers whether they are racial, religious or class.
Previous winners have included major capitals like Amsterdam and Berlin and comparatively smaller cities such as Salamanca in Spain and Lille in France. For a full list of previous winners click here.
The current favourite for the title is Belfast which has been motivated by the decommissioning of arms by the IRA. Promoters are emphasising the cross-cultural appeal the award would bring to the whole of the troubled province. Ministers in London would certainly be keen to support anything that could bolster the prospects of Northern Ireland and help break down negative perceptions of the area. Belfast’s biggest problem maybe in convincing the awarding EU body of a lasting peace. Any flare up of trouble would seriously dampen Belfast’s chances.
Newcastle and Gateshead have combined forces to launch a joint bid emphasising the regenerational prospects of the area with plans for £3 billion worth of investment and 17,000 new jobs. It also offers a broad cultural appeal from Newcastle United F.C and the Great North Run to the spectacular Angel of the North and the Flour Mill, which was recently converted into an art gallery.
The unwaning international fame of the Beatles and their inextricable link to Liverpool has helped make the city a serious contender for the title. Even without the musical heritage, Liverpool has a strong cultural claim. The city boasts of playing home to more museums and galleries than anywhere else in the UK outside of London and also possesses impressive architecture in the shape of the Liver, Cunard and Port of Liverpool authority buildings. Liverpool will also present a strong case for economic investment and look very good value at 5/1.
Birmingham and Bradford have both emphasised the ethnic diversity of their bids. The Midlands city however looks the stronger of the two bets and has incorporated Stratford upon Avon and Shakespeare into their application which can only add to their claim. Birmingham will also be able to cite its own investment into culture with the Ludlow food and drink festival and the city’s symphony orchestra. Bradford has enlisted the support of Pop Idol runner up and local boy Gareth Gates to support their nomination. While Gates may hold some contemporary appeal Bradford could struggle to demonstrate any long standing investment of their own into the arts. At ungenerous best odds of 12/1 they look distinctly poor value compared to Birmingham’s 8/1.
Welsh capital Cardiff will make a strong bid following the success of recent millennium projects including the national stadium and an impressive array of galleries. Cardiff will also emphasise the indigenous nature of its application and the rare opportunity to showcase Welsh Culture to a broad European audience.
Of the other cities competing for the title; Oxford and Cambridge will hope the academic reputation of their universities will support their respective chances. Oxford, which can boast of current popular figures Radiohead and JRR Tolkein, may just be the better value. Bath has the historic legacy of the Roman occupation while Norwich and Ipswich will use their rural charms in their proposal. Inverness will emphasise the environmental aspects of their application although it is Brighton and Hove which looks the best outside bet and can offer; their own annual arts festival, the Palace, listed piers and a lively music scene. The biggest weakness maybe Brighton’s proximity to London and its relatively strong economic position. Milton Keynes is the genuine outsider and will hope European Ministers can see beyond the concrete cows that dot the landscape.
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