CAPITAL OF CULTURE: A message from Phil Redmond

Sep 28 2007

SO THE drum roll has started, the five- minute bell has been rung and the conductor has raised his baton as we finally get ready for that step into the spotlight that is European Capital of Culture Year 2008 . . . well, almost.

With a few months still to go, I hope you will now get a sense of what is probably the biggest, broadest and deepest cultural programme that has ever been undertaken for a Capital of Culture year.

Yet, this is only Part One of a three-part series. Part Two has been trailered, while Part Three is still in development.

Part Two, running alongside the formal programme, will be the mass participation projects like Creative Communities, Open Culture and Cultural Clearing that will provide opportunities and encouragement for anyone and everyone to take part or actually create cultural content.

Part Three will be what Scousers are renowned for the world over; taking over an event and making it their own. 2008 will be what we all make it to be.

What is on offer today is merely the springboard for everyone to get engaged, get involved, participate in and enjoy our Capital of Culture, but there is a lot, lot more still to come.

That is why I am sure that, come the main event, if you can’t find something to do or engage in – you won’t be looking very hard!

PHIL REDMOND,deputy chairman of LiverpoolCulture Company Board