A week of celebrations in honour of St George
Painted faces and waving flags will brighten up the city in the name of St George, as Leicester holds its first week-long festival in honour of England's patron saint.
The city council says its St George's Day jubilee will help people celebrate their love of living in the city, and in England.
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Councillor Patrick Kitterick and a dragon promote celebrations planned for St George's Day
Events will be run across Leicester at tourist attractions, businesses and at the market, culminating with the annual St George's Day parade through the city centre.
Today, the council announced the week of events, from April 19 to 26, as an addition to its 2009 festival line-up.
Councillor Andy Connelly, city spokesman for culture, said: "We wanted to help people celebrate the many things they love about living in Leicester and in England today.
"We came up with the idea of the St George's festival, which we hope will be enjoyed by people of all ages, and from all cultures."
The week will kick off with a knights, maidens, crafts and stories event at Abbey Pumping Station on Sunday April 19, where fish and chips will be on sale and children dressed as knights or princesses will get a free ride on the museum's stream train.
The next day, visitors to the LCB Depot, in Rutland Street, will be able to learn more about the redevelopment of the city's Cultural Quarter around Curve, at an exhibition set to run until May.
On St George's Day, April 23, Leicester Market will host its annual reenactment of the saint's battle against the dragon.
On the same day, two graffiti artists will be creating a giant mural depicting what it means to Leicester, on the hoarding alongside the walkway near Yeoman Street and Halford Street.
On Saturday, April 25, Orton Square, near Curve, will host a family fun day, with dancing and folk music.
The festival will round off with a series of events on Sunday, April 26, including the Cubs and Scouts' annual St George's parade, which will leave the city centre at 2.15pm.
Councillor Patrick Kitterick, city council spokesman for regeneration, said: "The St George's area of Leicester is a historic part of the city which has had new life breathed into it thanks to the development of Curve, Phoenix Square and many other new businesses.
"We'd like more people to enjoy this transformation and the festival will help to show off this area and celebrate what has been achieved there."
The LCB Depot will host arts and crafts activities for families with the theme of dragons and mythical beasts.
Leicester museums service will give visitors the chance to handle historic museum objects, make shields and art inspired by dragons, and learn about mythical beasts from around the world.
The Timetarts team of historians will be bringing to life characters from old England, including a knight on horseback, an Agincourt archer, and an Elizabethan lady.
There will also be a chance to buy local crafts and produce from a range of Leicester businesses.
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by carole baker, birmingham
Thursday, April 16 2009, 9:26AM
“I THINK ITS GREAT TO CELEBRAT ST GEORGES DAY SO SHOULD THE REST OF ENGLAND AFTER ALL OUR SOLDIERS ARE PROUD TO BE ENGLISH AND SO AM I LET CELEBRAT .”
by Stick22, Beaumont leys
Wednesday, April 15 2009, 11:13AM
“About time! Hindu myself, but always join in with friends and family for St Georges. Good call Colin Price (Finally, this might just be the turning point which makes Leicester City Council realise that anything that is remotely british is not racist or offensive.) We should celebrate being British more often and not forget that this is England.”
by Tom, Leicester
Wednesday, April 15 2009, 8:28AM
“Wow! Am I dreaming or is it for real. Well done to the council for staging st georges day celebrations, although it should always have been celebrated anyway. It can only be for the good of all of us to feel united in such a happy way! The children especially will love all the knights and dragons. At last!”
by S.G.Puttock, SHARNFORD, HINCKLEY, LEICESTERSHIRE
Tuesday, April 14 2009, 9:57AM
“Good to see! Maybe the Council will now take the next great leap and start teaching English Language and Literature in schools next and perhaps even the fact tht England is a Christian country, even if we don't all shout about it, and that the schools were set up by churches to celebrate festivals like Christmas and Easter! I doubt, though, that we will ever return to true British values!”
by Colin Price, Leicester
Wednesday, April 08 2009, 8:58AM
“Finally, this might just be the turning point which makes Leicester City Council realise that anything that is remotely british is not racist or offensive. Its about time that we celebrated St Georges Day without fear of criticism, and I think that this will only stand to unite the various cultires in our community! That is afterall what being british is about these days.
A "sort of" half hearted "well done" to LCC for FINALLY taking that step into the unknown and actually celebrating our OWN culture for once!!”
by Ian Woolnough, Desford
Tuesday, April 07 2009, 8:02AM
“Well done to Leicester City Council for flying the flag. The English should be proud of their flag along with the Union Flag as well. They should be displayed with pride.”
by Eddie, leicester
Thursday, April 02 2009, 2:08PM
“I am the first to criticise Leicester City Council when they make mistakes or what I consider to be foolish decisions,so under the cicumstances let Me say how fantastic this is.It makes Me proud to live in a multi cultural City like Leicester and Im sure EVERYONE will join in.WELL DONE!!”
by Bobbi, LE1
Thursday, April 02 2009, 2:07PM
“Great News, I'll be waving my flag on 23rd.”
by Dave Stockley, Leicester
Thursday, April 02 2009, 1:53PM
“At last Leicester city council have realised that equality means celebrating your own culture too. a small pat on the back for finally spotting it!”
by Dave Stockley, Leicester
Thursday, April 02 2009, 1:51PM
“At last, Leicester City have realised equality means celebrating your own culture too......a few years too late, but a small pat on the back for spotting it”