City Of Culture 2013 Programme Launch: Quotes And News

Derry-Londonderry's Culture Company launches the first edition of the City Of Culture Programme for 2013

Celebrating the City Of Culture Programme Launch at Ebrington Square. From left to right at the front are: Shona McCarthy, Culture Company CEO; Martin McGuinness, Deputy First Minister; Martin Bradley, Culture Company Chairman; Cllr Kevin Campbell, Mayor Of Derry. Photo: Martin McKeown, inpresspics.com

Today, the first edition of the programme for Derry-Londonderry 2013, the UK's inaugural City Of Culture, was announced.

The coming year will see The Maiden City host a rich, varied programme of arts and entertainments. Among these will be the presentation of the Turner Prize, taking place outside England for the first time; a new commission by the London Symphony Orchestra; award-winning choreographer Hofesh Schechter and his big-picture vision of oppression, survival, resistance and existence, "Political Mother"; the return of the Field Day theatre company, who promise an eclectic programme of stage performance, new media and exhibitions; a new play by American playwright Sam Shepard; local Nobel Prize-winning poet Seamus Heaney; and the first visit to Northern Ireland by the Royal Ballet for more than twenty years.

City Of Culture 2013 mascot Oaky Doakes strolls around Ebrington Square. Photo: Tom Heaney, nwpresspics.com

The year will open with "Sons & Daughters", a free concert staged in a new purpose-built pavilion in the heart of the city, on the banks of the River Foyle. The concert, co-produced by the BBC, will celebrate Derry's rich musical heritage.

Here's what some of the people involved at the launch had to say:

Shona McCarthy, Culture Company CEO:

"We hope that Derry-Londonderry's City Of Culture year brings a sense of joy, a sense of ambition, a sense of pride in our community, a sense of being part of a global community, and in the end a sense of achievement - that we all did this together and it meant something. A huge success for a small city."

Cllr Kevin Campbell, Mayor Of Derry:

"The City Of Culture year will transform our city and region. The range of contemporary music, dance, theatre, arts and performance events will link our diverse communities in programmes of celebration. The exciting programme of events scheduled for 2013 will encourage, develop and showcase our amazing cultural talent to the world and lay the foundations for economic prosperity for years to come."

Culture Minister Carál Ní Chuilín:

"2013 promises to be a momentous year for Derry and for this part of Ireland. With such an exciting programme of events to suit everyone's tastes, the endorsement this week from the Lonely Planet and the sheer dedication to make this happen, Derry, City Of Culture, is not to be missed. Derry is ready to embrace this opportunity and to showcase Ireland's rich culture and heritage on the local and international stage."

For more information, check out www.cityofculture2013.com.

(Video courtesy of Rory McSwiggan. Animation courtesy of The Nerve Centre, with music by Gary Curran of The Japanese Popstars.)