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05/08/2002
Ministers welcome Capital of Culture judging panel
Despite Belfast's image on the international stage being tarnished as a result of the upturn in street violence, the capital still has a good chance of netting the European Capital of Culture nomination, according to Sports Minister Michael McGimpsey.
The Minister was speaking at ‘W5’ in the Odyssey building this morning where he met with Sir Jeremy Isaacs, chair of the judging panel, along with vice-chairs Sue McGregor and Judith Mayhew, and other members of the panel.
Mr McGimpsey said: “There is no avoiding the fact that the image of Belfast that has recently been on television screens throughout the UK has been one of violence and confrontation. But there is much more to our city, and our province, than that.
“The qualities that made us frontrunners in this project are enduring ones. Our record of achievement in the arts, in sport, in industry and in innovation and creativity, are not diminished by recent problems. Our resilience and our determination to create a better life for everyone in Belfast and in Northern Ireland have enabled us to make huge progress over the last few years.
“That spirit will not be diminished by recent violence. We are frontrunners in this bid because we have earned that respect. I am determined that that will not change,” he added.
Economy Minister, Sir Reg Empey, who also welcomed the judging panel to Belfast, stated how important it was for Belfast to become an official City of Culture.
The Minister said: “If we succeed in our bid, then we can shout from the rooftops that Belfast is a great place in which to live, to invest and to visit. What better outcome, than to emerge in 2008 as one of the world’s most unique, progressive and innovative cultural destinations. Our bid paves the way.”
Previously known as City of Culture, the European Capital of Culture is a competition run by the European Union. The competition has recently been revised and from 2005 onward, each EU country will take it in turn to host the title and in 2008 it is the UK's turn.
The other 10 UK cities competing for the 2008 nomination are Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Cardiff, Canterbury East Kent, Brighton and Hove, Inverness Highland, Liverpool, Newcastle and Gateshead, Oxford and Norwich. (MB)
The Minister was speaking at ‘W5’ in the Odyssey building this morning where he met with Sir Jeremy Isaacs, chair of the judging panel, along with vice-chairs Sue McGregor and Judith Mayhew, and other members of the panel.
Mr McGimpsey said: “There is no avoiding the fact that the image of Belfast that has recently been on television screens throughout the UK has been one of violence and confrontation. But there is much more to our city, and our province, than that.
“The qualities that made us frontrunners in this project are enduring ones. Our record of achievement in the arts, in sport, in industry and in innovation and creativity, are not diminished by recent problems. Our resilience and our determination to create a better life for everyone in Belfast and in Northern Ireland have enabled us to make huge progress over the last few years.
“That spirit will not be diminished by recent violence. We are frontrunners in this bid because we have earned that respect. I am determined that that will not change,” he added.
Economy Minister, Sir Reg Empey, who also welcomed the judging panel to Belfast, stated how important it was for Belfast to become an official City of Culture.
The Minister said: “If we succeed in our bid, then we can shout from the rooftops that Belfast is a great place in which to live, to invest and to visit. What better outcome, than to emerge in 2008 as one of the world’s most unique, progressive and innovative cultural destinations. Our bid paves the way.”
Previously known as City of Culture, the European Capital of Culture is a competition run by the European Union. The competition has recently been revised and from 2005 onward, each EU country will take it in turn to host the title and in 2008 it is the UK's turn.
The other 10 UK cities competing for the 2008 nomination are Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Cardiff, Canterbury East Kent, Brighton and Hove, Inverness Highland, Liverpool, Newcastle and Gateshead, Oxford and Norwich. (MB)
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