Coventry is going to bid to become the UK City of Culture 2021, but what makes us cultural, and what could this award mean to the city? We reveal all…

The City of Culture scheme is awarded every four years, with Hull receiving the award for 2017. Coventry will compete for the titles of UK City of Culture – 2021 and European Capital of Culture – 2023. Coventry University, Coventry councillors, businessmen and arts groups, and Warwick University are leading the bid.

“Cultural leaders in Coventry have declared the city is “as good as York” as it bids to become UK City of Culture and the European Capital of Culture.“

Becoming the city of culture 2021 is a major deal. Winning the award would prompt a huge rise in tourist numbers and be worth £80m to Coventry’s economy.
Belgrade Theatre chairman David Burbidge, who is one of the people leading the bid, said:

“This is a huge opportunity for Coventry, particularly with support from Warwickshire and the surrounding area, and I feel we are very well placed to launch a serious and ultimately successful bid. The social, cultural and economic possibilities this would bring are absolutely vast. We have a wonderfully diverse city and some strong cultural assets.A successful bid would leave a lasting, positive cultural, social and economic imprint on the region.”

So what makes Coventry cultural?

The strongest argument for Coventry is its wealth of cultural history, from the legend of Lady Godiva to the birth of poet Philip Larkin. Both Shakespeare and Elizabeth I are said to have visited the city, whilst composer Benjamin Britten debuted his infamous War Requiem in our New Cathedral, following World War Two.

Continuing the music theme, Coventry saw the launch of the 2-tone Ska movement that ‘changed the face of British music’. The music genre gained momentum in the late 70’s, thanks to Coventry bands The Specials (who recorded their music video for ‘Rat Race’ in our lecture halls!) and The Selecter.

Pauline Black, singer and founding member of 2-tone Ska band The Selecter, said:

“Coventry has a very rich history and is ideally suited to be UK City of Culture 2021. The 2-tone movement is a subculture and part of the city’s heritage. Coventry has so much to offer both historically with Coventry Cathedral and culturally as a city dedicated to peace and reconciliation; a very similar ethos to the multicultural inclusivity of 2-tone. It is great to celebrate the things that unite people rather than divide them. Coventry has been good to me and I want to help in any way I can.”

Alongside this rich cultural history, Coventry offers theatres, museums, galleries and independent art groups. This year is already a celebration of 50 years of ‘Theatre in Education’, which was invented in Coventry.  Then of course there’s the UK’s biggest free family music festival – the Godiva Festival, now in it’s 17^th year!

Faye Abbott, from the City Council, said the bid was an “amazing opportunity” for the city:

“The time is right for Coventry to go for it,” she said. “It’s time for us to get serious about transforming the image of the city, raise our profile… and make Coventry people really proud of all we have here.”

Do you think Coventry could win? Show your support in Coventry Telegraphs’ online poll!

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