First Person: Stop being so negative about our culture bid
Leicester has announced that it is bidding to become the UK's next City of Culture in 2017. With a proven track record of excellent festivals and cultural events from Diwali to Pride and with the recent discovery of Richard III's bones, it's no wonder the city has decided to try its luck.
If successful, it could lead to millions of pounds in increased trade, a rise in tourism and the possibility of hundreds of new jobs.
-
Since this exciting news, what has Leicester done to celebrate? Readied the bunting, congratulated ourselves?
Sadly not. We've done what the Brits do best and started to moan. We've moaned about our lack of culture, lack of architecture and, more worryingly, a lack of British festivals and events on offer in the city.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Wednesday, May 22 2013
Now hold on: we live in one of the most multi-cultural cities in the UK. What exactly is it that makes a festival British? The definition of British relates to the characteristics of the citizens, or inhabitants of the United Kingdom, and last time I checked our events have reflected the people of Leicester.
On top of that, you can't walk 10 yards these days without a new festival or event popping up.
Also, if anyone has a reason to moan about the culture of the city this month, then sorry folks it's me, not you.
Having watched The Monograph magazine recently announce it was ending its printed production, struggling without council or arts funding, I could sit around bemoaning its fate, forever holding a grudge against Leicester's cultural empire.
However, if the city council wants to spend £50,000 on this new city of culture venture, then let it.
Agreed, times are hard to be spending money on arts, but look at the long-term possibilities.
A city celebrated for culture will attract attention, investment and will benefit us all.
It's a simplistic view, yes, of a complex situation but – newsflash, people – recessions are nothing new.
They've happened before, they suck and, yes, we're all skint!
But for this you have a choice. You can choose to pick apart the intentions of the people that are trying to make something for your enjoyment – or you can stop moaning about it and get involved.
Go explore the city. Visit one of our attractions or free museums, such as the one in New Walk (everyone enjoys a good dinosaur) and get behind the bid!
Cease looking at what is wrong with the city. Tackle the small things, such as simple pleasures, and maybe the big things won't seem so bad after all.
The bid gets my vote and I look forward to seeing what's on offer in the future.
Raegan Oates is music editor at From Dusk 2 Dawn magazine.
8 Comments
by anobserver
Friday, March 22 2013, 12:45PM
“When Leicester can look after is own,then we could maybe think it is a good idea.If we spend all this money what do we get?
Plenty of tourists with no parking or bus facilities.
pete park,full of homeless as hostels are closed and elderly people with begging bowls as their homes have been closed .”
by bikerdan82
Thursday, March 21 2013, 3:11PM
“I haven't championed a coercive multiculturalism, the city of culture isn't about that element of Leicester's recent history. It's an opportunity to celebrate it yes, but if you want to see Leicester's unique and ancient history championed; get on board and ensure that's celebrate too!!
Anyone that say's Leicester is a paradise of multiculturalism is wearing rose tinted glasses BUT that doesn't mean we can't still champion it. Its only through positive pressure that we can truly have a cohesive multicultural city, rather than one where people seem to have segregated into ghettos and only interact in either a working environment or shopping in the city centre. That though, is a separate issue from the one about gaining the title of city of culture.”
by NickDiPerna1
Thursday, March 21 2013, 1:40PM
“I think Leicester people are negative because they get fed up of hearing how great our caring, sharing, multi-cultural paradise is by people who are mostly protected from the less pleasant aspects of the coercive multiculturalism they champion.
I was pleasantly surprised how much unique history and heritage Leicester has - being a ford for Celts, a fortress for Romans, a religious centre for Saxons, literary credentials and housing the first elected English Parliament amongst many other things, but this never seems to take precedence.”
by bikerdan82
Thursday, March 21 2013, 12:31PM
“Nick i think its fair to say the year long festival will benefit a lot, not a few people if our city is successful. Would you rather languish on the dole or pick up a job (albeit most likely on the dreaded poop minimum wage) at one of the many businesses that will see an increase in trade through tourism?
Then there's the sheer amount of entertainment that would be on offer, there will be something for everyone. Or if you prefer, there will be plenty of opportunities to get involved in a community project to develop some form of art.
I just find some of the views expressed towards this fantastic opportunity for our wonderful city, worryingly short sighted.
These things are what you make of them, go for gold and throw yourself behind it and you may surprise yourself with how much this opportunity can boost your community spirit, be angst ridden and fight against it and well frankly, you will miss out and that would be a gross shame.”
by amoros11
Thursday, March 21 2013, 12:25PM
“The venture combined with the 4 million Jubilee Square, suggests an inability to prioritise and balance services and budget costs effectively. The running cost will be £10 million over our existing budget, was the feasibility examined before the public release of any City intention to run
At the same time, last summer we were told that we may not have the funds to run the TV screen in the centre of town. The vision of the City's leaders and their financial planning inconsistent at best .”
by amoros11
Thursday, March 21 2013, 12:21PM
“The venture combined with the 4 million Jubilee Square, suggests an inability to prioritise and balance services and budget costs effectively. The running cost will be £10 million over our existing budget, was the feasibility examined before the public release of any City intention to run.
At the same time, last summer we were told that we may not have the funds to run the TV screen in the centre of town. The vision of the City's leaders and their financial planning inconsistent at best.”
by ladyjanegrey
Thursday, March 21 2013, 10:26AM
“@Nick...bet ya get deleted !”
by NickDiPerna1
Thursday, March 21 2013, 10:02AM
“It will not benefit all, only the few as usual.
Probably more cash floating around to subsidise that awful rag you write in.”