TEENAGERS helped to launch a national celebration of youth identity at Liverpool’s St George’s Hall.

Portrait of a Nation is a year-long programme of events marking the first time that teenagers and young people in 17 cities across the UK – including Liverpool – have been asked to discuss and share where they come from, who they are, and what it means for the future.

Young people will be staging celebratory events throughout the year to show what makes their city unique through a range of art, performance and heritage projects.

They will also be taking part in a debate at www.portraitofanation. net, posting blogs, pictures and films, as well as inviting MPs, celebrities and members of the public to get involved by adding favourite cultural “hot spots” in their home town.

This will culminate in December with a finale event at St George’s Hall.

The showcase will be one of the final events of the city’s European Capital of Culture celebrations.

Dil Lewington, 17, from the Capital of Culture youth advisory group, said: “Portrait of a Nation is a celebration of what it means to be a young person in the United Kingdom.

“I love my city and its culture, its history and character is as vibrant as the people sharing it. Culture is ever changing and growing and the young people of Liverpool celebrate the chance to share this wealth with other young people in the UK.”