Bradford kicked off its City of Culture 2025 celebrations with a magical event featuring Dynamo and a vibrant performance in the cold.
Bradford: The city just launched its City of Culture 2025 celebrations, and wow, what a way to kick things off! Local illusionist Dynamo, who’s super proud of his roots, was there to wow the crowd.
Even though it was freezing, tons of people showed up at City Park to enjoy a special performance. This event, called ‘RISE,’ featured over 200 artists and was all about celebrating art and creativity.
Dynamo shared some heartfelt words, reminiscing about his start in street magic right there in Bradford. He told everyone, “All of my random ideas started right here in Bradford.” How cool is that?
He was really pumped about the year ahead, saying, “If I can do what I have done, we can do anything. This year is going to be amazing.” You could feel the pride in his voice!
He also mentioned how he loves telling people about Bradford and that he’ll never lose his Yorkshire accent. It’s great to see someone so connected to their hometown.
Bradford is the fourth city to earn this title, following Derry-Londonderry, Hull, and Coventry. They were chosen from a pool of twenty contenders back in May 2022.
The RISE event was a real spectacle, with music and lights lighting up two stages. There were DJs, rappers, aerial acts, and even a community chorus. It was a real feast for the senses!
Shanaz Gulzar, the creative lead for Bradford 2025, couldn’t contain her excitement. She described the event as filled with “magic, mysticism, and mayhem.” Sounds like a blast!
She emphasized how important this is for Bradford, saying, “It’s huge for the city.” It’s all about finding a new identity and bringing in attention and investment.
Darren Henley from Arts Council England chimed in, saying, “It may be cold outside, but this is the hottest place to be for arts and culture.” He’s really looking forward to all the creative events coming up.
He also pointed out that this year will change how people see Bradford, both for locals and visitors. It’s all about telling stories and embracing creativity.
Looking ahead, the Bradford 2024 program kicks off in January with some exciting exhibitions. One of them features Ethiopian artist Aida Muluneh, and another explores the links between calligraphy and boxing.
Plus, there’s a nationwide drawing project inspired by Bradford-born artist David Hockney. And don’t forget, the National Science and Media Museum is reopening after a big refurbishment, showcasing Hockney’s innovative work.
