The news this morning that Hull has been named UK City of Culture 2017 has prompted celebrations far and wide.
Culture Secretary Maria Miller announced Hull as the winner and explained how being named as a City of Culture had benefitted the current title holders:
“This year’s UK City of Culture, Derry-Londonderry, demonstrates the huge benefits that the title brings. These include encouraging economic growth, inspiring social change and bringing communities together.
“It can produce a wonderful mix of inward investment, and civic pride, and I hope Hull’s plans will make the most of all that being UK City of Culture can bring.”
Press and social media sites have seen a huge number of congratulation messages and comment during the morning with people sharing also the bid video, This City Belongs to Everyone, which has now been viewed almost 70,000 times.
The hashtags #Hull2017 and #HullYes are being used across Flickr, Twitter and Instagram as people celebrate.
The future of our city's arts and culture: a Hull Truck Youth Theatre #HullYes! @2017Hull #Hull2017 @HT_CreativeL pic.twitter.com/AX6veKcDXm
— Hull Truck Theatre (@HullTruck) September 30, 2013
In the city, the Mayor of Hull, councillor Martin Reilly was delighted: “I am confident that an amazing year awaits Hull as the winning city for 2017, I wish them every success and look forward to forming a working relationship with Hull to share our experiences and learning.”
While the Hull Daily Mail’s editor and City Leadership Board member Neil Hodgkinson said today that the victory will be a major catalyst for change which will benefit everyone in the city.
In an opinion piece he says: “It is also a genuine reason to celebrate on behalf of everyone in the city – because that is who this award will benefit. Everyone. This decision will unlock £12m in funding for cultural events to be spread across 2017. That means one year – 52 weeks, 365 days – of full-on activities from music concerts to art exhibitions; street performers to food festivals and comedy, ballet, dance and other huge public spectaculars. Most of them will be free and all of them will attract much needed work and business to our city and region.”
Councillor Steven Bayes is portfolio handler for Hull’s City of Culture bid. In this video he gives his reaction to Calendar’s Michael Billington – “the whole city is delighted.”
In the national press, The Mirror started following the announcement with almost minute-by-minute updates since 8.30am and has a stream of images from the city while The Telegraph notes how the city’s council is determined to “change the perceptions” of the city, which have been bleak ever since the 17th-century verse asked, “from Hell, Hull and Halifax, good Lord deliver us”.
If you wish to add your message of support to the city, feel free to use the comments below.
