Belfast makes final presentation for culture bid

Imagine Belfast 2008 has presented its final presentation to the government on the city's bid to become the European Capital of Culture.

A team from Imagine Belfast 2008 travelled to the Department of Culture Media and Sport in London yesterday to make its submission to the judging panel tasked with short-listing three to six cities.

The shortlisted cities – which will become known as ‘Centres of Cultural Excellence’ – will be announced in late November. The title of European Capital of Culture 2008 will be known in Spring 2003.

Northern Ireland Culture Minister Michael McGimpsey and Belfast Lord Mayor Alex Maskey both travelled to the presentation. Imagine Belfast 2008 was represented by Tom Collins Chair and Michele Rusk, Vice Chair and Stella Hall Festival Director, Belfast Festival at Queens.

Tom Collins, Chair of Imagine Belfast 2008 said: "This was our last opportunity to prove Belfast is in a prime position to take on the challenge of becoming European Capital of Culture. We outlined why Belfast deserves the title, the work we have already done to build alliances with groups and organisations across Northern Ireland, our plans for the years ahead and most importantly of all, outline the tangible benefits the title will bring to Belfast, its people and the people of Northern Ireland before during and after 2008.”

The Imagine Belfast 2008 team gave a 15-minute presentation to the judging panel followed by a 45-minute discussion session relating to the delivery, resources, infrastructure, logistics and programme features of the ‘oneBelfast’ bid.

All 12 competing cities have spent one hour each over the past couple of weeks, updating the judges on developments with their bids and answering specific questions in relation to the delivery of events in 2008.

Seven of the judges including Judging Panel Chairman, broadcaster and journalist Jeremy Isaacs made a visit to Belfast on August 5, where they were shown many aspects and faces of Belfast. During the tour of the city the judges visited the Odyssey complex, Ormeau Baths Gallery and met with community representatives at the interface ‘peace wall’ on Bombay Street and Kashmir Street, and visited the Spectrum Centre and Orange Hall on the Shankill Road.

The judges’ visit in August was then followed by a two-hour whistle-stop tour by Tessa Jowell, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on September 18, where she thanked all those working on the bid for their efforts in getting the bid to its current stage.

(GMcG)