Culture baton passed on to UK City of Culture
LONDON Mayor Boris Johnson has predicted that the City of Culture celebration next year will be “a knock out success”.
He made the comment at a handover ceremony in London on Sunday where the baton was formally passed from the organisers of the London 2012 festival to the team behind the UK City of Culture events.
Londonderry was one of three cities chosen to receive formal handovers from London 2012, the others being Glasgow, which will host the 2014 Commonwealth Games, and Rio de Janeiro, which will host the 2016 Olympics.
To mark the occasion, a specially commissioned artwork by David Shrigley was unveiled.
It is based on a newspaper publicity board featuring the headline, ‘Small city becomes huge.’
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Mr Johnson said; “As the curtain comes down on London 2012 I am so delighted the magic won’t stop as we hand over the baton to Derry.
“The cultural celebrations this year have been phenomenal and I know 2013 will continue to raise the bar and be a knock out success.” Mayor, Councillor Kevin Campbell also welcomed the handover.
“2013 is a huge opportunity for our city to shine and to showcase its talents and bring world class events to the region. City of Culture presents us with tremendous opportunities to generate new connections and tell our new story across the world and put culture and innovation at the heart of our programme of activity,” he said.
Culture Company Chief Executive, Shona McCarthy said the city’s links with London will be strengthened by the City of Culture celebrations.
“We feel extremely privileged to have been entrusted with taking on the cultural mantle that has been carried brilliantly by London in 2012 and we have thoroughly enjoyed the experience of working in partnership with London 2012 Festival this year.”
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Weather for Londonderry
Sunday 19 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 10 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 8 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: North west
