Month-by-Month: Capital of Culture highlights

Jan 1 2008

Daily Post Arts Editor Phil Key picks out his highlights for 2008

THE question most  frequently asked of  me in 2007 was:  “What do you think  of the Capital of  Culture?” I have always been  positive because there is really  no other answer.

Maybe in the early days with  all the comings and goings and  minor scandals it was an  attitude difficult  to sustain. But  as the year  progressed,  there was  nothing false  about my view  that the year will be a success.

As organisations across  Merseyside revealed their  plans for the year, it became  obvious that everyone was  pulling together on this one.

The more I examined the  programmes the more I  became convinced that far  from being the embarrassment  that some people suggested, the  year really will put the city on  the cultural map. It has not  been easy to organise.

As  someone has pointed out, it has  been like trying to run an  Edinburgh Festival not just for  a few weeks but for an entire  year.

It is not just a matter of big  names, either – although they  are there and certainly should  be part of any cultural event  that hopes to gain  international  attention – but the  many smaller  groups doing their  own things.

There is a buzz  of excitement about the city  now, an air of anticipation.
You can feel it wherever you  go.

It really was the people of  Liverpool who helped  Liverpool get the prestigious  title. It will also be up to the  people of Liverpool to support  and enjoy the year, one we will  never see again in our  lifetimes.

THE cultural year officially gets under way with a weekend of frantic activity from Friday, January 11.

The events are co-directed by Nigel Jamieson (the man behind the opening ceremony for the Sydney Olympics) and Liverpool’s own cultural icon Jayne Casey.

There will be a free, open air concert on the Friday at St George’s Plateau, with tales of Ringo Starr appearing on top of the hall.

The next day, he helps open the new Echo Arena at the docks with Liverpool: The Musical, and a fabulous line-up including Ringo, Dave Stewart, Vasily Petrenko and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, No Fakin DJs, The Bunnymen, Pete Wylie and many others.

On the Sunday, many of the city’s arts venues will open their doors.

February > > >