Derry/Lononderry UK City of Culture

UK City of Culture is a success but what does “success” mean? Greater transparency is needed

| Readers 540

What is UK City of Culture delivering for Londonderry and Derry for the rest of us?  My fitful browsing and searches in journalism and the written public record doesn’t tell us much. No doubt there’s a buzz about the place with the opening of Ebrington Square and the Peace Bridge. You only need the evidence of your own eyes to see that tourism has become a major  – the major? – source of investment. They are squeezing every last ounce of value …

Read more…

UK City of Culture rocks for Radio 1 Big Weekend

| Readers 18

  I’ve  just been watching the video stream of Day Two of the Radio 1 Big Weekend in Derry for a few hours, on and off. (I fess up. My daughter is an executive producer of the event.  For variety during the cultural initiation I opened up other windows to sound off in Slugger about political reform; that explains it ). That said  the event  won me over. It  looks great, terrifically well staged, well filmed, good sound and really charged  on video stream. …

Read more…

Expect an influx of social energisers and culturally curious tourists in 2013 … as well as the G8 leaders

| Readers 110

Slugger readers in Great Britain who fall into the marketing segments of “social energisers” and “culturally curious” should expect to see adverts tempting them across the shuck Irish Sea in 2013 to “explore the landscapes, history and culture we have on offer”. social energisers = 18-34, no kids; heavy social networkers; often living in London, Glasgow and Manchester; wanting urban holidays with friends; looking for daytime activities. culturally curious = 45+, living with partner/married; use social media but not heavy …

Read more…

UK City of Culture launched with confidence and flair

| Readers 77

    Aside from our own unique brand of cynicism, there is bound to be angst on a smaller scale to that which foreshadowed the London 2012 Olympics. For Derry, the word “transformational “ is already familiar and will soon be overworked.  But transformed  already is what will become the main events venue, the old Ebrington Barracks ( see above, the arena depicted  is pending). This is now  linked to the old city via the Peace Bridge, for which the word “iconic” however also overworked, seems …

Read more…