BRITISH CITIES AIMING FOR 'CAPITAL OF CULTURE'
Six UK cities have been short-listed ... the most coveted prize ... Europe: the title European Capital... Culture 2008. Though that year seems a long way off (the first European capital will be ... Ireland ... 2005 and the final UK nomination ... 2008 announced ... the British Prime Minister this May) the finalists are all surprisingly good destinations ... culture vultures right now.
The proliferation ... low-cost airlines also means they have never been more accessible: making them ideal ... short breaks or as touring bases ... longer stays.
The transformation that has taken place ... the cities — Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Liverpool, Oxford and Newcastle-Gateshead — has been remarkable. All, ... the possible exception ... Oxford, were traditionally thought... as centres ... industry and commerce rather than art and culture (the same was said ... Glasgow, Scotland, honoured as City ... Culture ... 1990). Things have changed. Each has become a showcase ... culture, creativity and regeneration.
Industrial relics have been transformed ... temples ... art. New and arresting architecture is complementing the old. Fashionable waterfronts have become places to linger. Youthful energy and vitality is everywhere.
Though there can only be one Capital ... Culture ... 2008 there are no losers ... this contest. The runners-up will be titled Centres ... Culture, ensuring they are popular ... visitors ... a long time to come.
Hilary Macaskill
NOTE:... this article was written the winning city has been announced: Liverpool
| For agreement use: |