Press Release

Tale of two cities as Belfast back Derry-Londonderry Culture bid

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

As the song goes ‘Everybody needs good neighbours’ and with Belfast supporting its bid to bid to become UK City of Culture 2013, Derry-Londonderry can certainly count itself fortunate in that regard.

The First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness pictured with Derry City Council’s Town Clerk and Chief Executive Valerie Watts at the City Hall event in Belfast to drum up support for the Derry~Londonderry City of Culture bid across Northern Ireland.

On Monday evening, Lord Mayor of Belfast, Cllr Naomi Long, hosted a cultural connections night to signal Belfast’s backing for the Derry-Londonderry bid. Individuals from across Belfast’s cultural, business and tourism sectors were on hand to show their support at the event which featured performances from local musicians and dancers.

The Lord Mayor of Belfast Naomi Long and the Mayor of Derry Cllr Paul Fleming pictured with, from left, the Town Clerk and Chief Executive of Derry City Council, Valerie Watts and local musician Maedbh McGinley, who was one of the performers at the City Hall event to endorse the Derry~Londonderry bid for City of Culture.

Mayor Long, enthusiastically lent her support to the Derry-Londonderry campaign commenting on the positive effect the designation would have not just in Belfast but all across region.

She said: "Belfast recognises that great benefits will be gained from a successful bid not only for the maiden city, but also for all areas of Northern Ireland. The city of Belfast is the principal gateway to all of the tourist attractions across Northern Ireland. Our hope is that a successful bid by Derry City Council will have a positive impact on Belfast by encouraging visitors to spend time here and elsewhere across the country too," he said.

Mayor of Derry, Paul Fleming was delighted to see his own city’s campaign receive the backing of its neighbour.

“As first citizen of Derry I am very happy that Belfast has thrown its weight behind our bid to become City of Culture 2013. A successful bid would have massive benefits not just for our own city but for the whole of the region including Belfast. We value greatly the support of our neighbours which only adds to the momentum of our bid as this Friday’s submission date approaches,” he said.

As well as making the headlines in newspapers and the airwaves the Derry-Londonderry’s on-line bid has taken a life of its own with almost 7,000 people signed up to the Facebook group, and Twitter and the blogosphere buzzing with chat, debate and opinions about the bid. There’s really easy ways to get involved and we’re looking for your support so visit www.cityofculture2013.com for more information.

For further press information contact the City of Culture Press Office on 028 7137 6575.

Notes to Editor:

Derry -Londonderry is one of four cities shortlisted in the race to become the UK’s City of Culture in 2013, along with Birmingham, Norwich and Sheffield. Since it was shortlisted in February 2010, support for the campaign has been rapidly building momentum, with thousands of people backing it on Facebook. The city’s crusade has also received support from the United States, with the US Economic Envoy to Northern Ireland, Declan Kelly, backing Derry-Londonderry's bid. The city will submit its final bid at the end of May 2010, and the winner of UK City of Culture 2013 will be announced in the summer. It’s an important opportunity for the city, to share the diversity of the area, and its extraordinary past and exciting future, with the rest of the world. Register online at www.cityofculture2013.com and get involved.

Press Office

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