A nationwide drawing competition backed by artist David Hockney has been unveiled as part of UK City of Culture 2025.
The event is just one of many that will take place in Bradford over the course of 2025, including the acclaimed Turner Prize and an outdoor event helmed by Steven Frayne, better known as Dynamo.
And it doesn’t stop there, to celebrate literature there will be a series of tributes to the Brontë sisters who were born in Thornton, Yorkshire.
A number of music events will also be held, including a brass band celebration of Bradford and its South Asian community.
It starts here. We are Bradford. We are the UK City of Culture 2025. Check out the first part of our programme now 💥
🔗 https://t.co/c25ujASWkU pic.twitter.com/e8UofZ8cXf
— Bradford 2025 (@bradford2025) September 12, 2024
David Hockney, widely thought of as Britain’s greatest living artist, was born in Bradford in 1937. He is inviting people of all ages across the country to take part in his project to “reflect our everyday lives”.
Dynamo, the world famous magician, will perform his new show Rise, which is based on the story of his grandfather teaching him magic tricks in the city.
Shanaz Gulzar, creative director of Bradford 2025, said: “The UK is invited to Bradford in 2025. Not only will audiences want to be celebrating everything that makes Bradford great, but it’ll also be a part of the change for this vibrant city and district.”
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy, said: “This celebration of talent born and bred in the city will help to get more people of all ages and backgrounds involved in cultural events, creating good jobs and opportunities for young people.”
Bradford City of Culture 2025 will kick off in January and aims to bring the cultural wonders of Yorkshire to the UK public whilst bringing much needed funding to the city.
Read more:
- Former One Direction star Zayn Malik revealed as the ambassador for Bradford’s City of Culture year
- BBC Local to release Rob Burrow’s final podcast series that he recorded before his death
Featured image – Bradford City of Culture
