“What is a city without its people? Without its vibrant culture? Without its bustling streets? The pandemic saw Liverpool and cities like it fall silent around the world as we put on masks to shield ourselves, protect each other and batten down the hatches for what we hoped, we wished, would be a short, forgettable season.
While our heroic NHS and frontline workers across the city region worked tirelessly to serve and protect us, we turned to our phones, laptops, televisions, tablets, and computers. From zoom quizzes to online theatre, Netflix binges and virtual museum tours — we caught up…
“The joy that music can bring to all of us has just been underlined for me by the text I’ve just received from my niece Jess. She was so excited that my phone almost burst under the sheer weight of emoji’s signalling that I was dealing with a ridiculously happy 22 year old. (To be honest my understanding of emoji’s is limited but I got the broad message the various shapes were attempting to convey).
The reason that Jess was so ecstatic was that she had managed to secure a ticket for The First Dance club night being promoted by…
“During times of crisis, it can be difficult to think of the future, to know how to progress and embrace creativity and think outside of the box. However this week I was reminded that now is the perfect time to stop, collaborate and listen.
Attending the ROCK, Open Knowledge Week seminar, (digital in the current climate) I was inspired by the projects undertaken around Europe in utilising our culture and heritage for the regeneration of both physical places and the mental transformations of residents. Listening to the city of Eindhoven discussing their “Living Lab” and how they have utilised people’s…
“Liverpool was in the news again recently with the news that we had lost our UNESCO World Heritage status because it was believed that new developments threatened the value of our waterfront.
While the decision is obviously disappointing, in reality people will still come to Liverpool to enjoy our wonderful waterfront, our magnificent built environment and the many other amazing things that make up an outstanding offer for visitors from all over the world.
As someone who has grown up in the city and seen its physical transformation over the last twenty years I find it difficult to agree with…
It’s been a busy couple of months for new Cabinet Member, Councillor Harry Doyle. With a brief covering culture and visitor economy, it’s a demanding and high profile portfolio. Read how he is getting to grips with all things culture and his reaction to attending his first event in his new role.
When I took over the portfolio for Culture and Visitor Economy from the brilliant Wendy Simon, I thought I knew a lot. I’d sat on the committee and read all the reports and been an enthusiastic audience member. But to be honest, nothing could prepare you for this…
“If you cast your mind back to January, things were pretty bleak. We were in lockdown. It was cold. It was grey. Everything felt empty. It was in that winter of pretty severe discontent that we came up with the idea for a project which would later be called ‘Very Public Art’.
In conversations with artists and friends in the city it was clear everyone felt scared the greyness surrounding us was seeping into our streets and our souls. We were at risk of our collective ennui making us boring. …
When Liverpool was granted UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2004, the city joined a select group of world sites recognised for their unique contributions to architecture and culture, including the Taj Mahal, Stonehenge, Venice and the Great Wall of China.
How can it be then that Liverpool, once considered a global architectural icon, now isn’t?
When UNESCO bestowed the WHS accolade on Liverpool it stated that Liverpool is “the supreme example of a commercial port of the time of Britain’s greatest global influence.” Nothing has changed since then. We are still the supreme example.
Liverpool’s Grade I and II…
When Liverpool started the process of securing World Heritage Site status in around 2001, it was during a time when the city was gearing up to be the European Capital of Culture. It was the ambition and the voice of the people that secured the UNESCO status for Liverpool. UNESCO has not listened to that voice.
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Liverpool is a city that has built its economy over the last 25 years on the back of that wonderful, glorious and colourful voice. The voices of its people, the beauty of its buildings, its history, and its future coalescing to make it the most…
“Vasily Petrenko has just ended his glorious 15 year reign as the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s Chief Conductor after a final trio of concerts last week. Of course the loss of such a major talent is a sad moment for the Phil and for the city generally but it is also a time to reflect on a magnificent period when we have been lucky enough to enjoy such a singular talent.
As well as being a giant of the conducting world Vasily is also a hugely charismatic individual and has served as a brilliant ambassador not just for the Phil…
I was excited to learn recently that Future Talent have decided on Liverpool as their northern base. Their decision to choose Liverpool over the likes of Manchester and Leeds does I think speak volumes for the obvious vibrancy and attractiveness of Liverpool as a music city at the moment.
Future Talent are a welcome addition to a broad spectrum of talent development programmes that already exist across the city region. Close to home because it is based out of Culture Liverpool is the brilliant LIMF Academy, which will soon be looking to recruit its next cohort. In brief the LIMF…
