Year as the City of Culture starts in Coventry

The start of Coventry’s year as UK City of Culture has been hailed by the city’s leader as “the fresh start that the city and country need.”

Thousands of tickets are already on sale for a variety of exciting activities taking place over the next few months, as the year officially starts tomorrow (15 May).

The City of Culture Team is keeping the exact date of the opening day a secret, but they have announced that a film starring the city’s celebrated author George Eliot and producer Coolie, one of the hottest current music stars, will be released.

This week, the Show Windows project began with a series of new window displays throughout the city centre, as well as In Paint We Trust, which will see new artworks surface in unique spaces in the city centre.

They’ll be accompanied by a slew of events in venues around the area, as well as in parks and green spaces and online.

“It is wonderful that the year we have all been waiting for has finally arrived, and our city will begin its reign as UK City of Culture,” said Coventry City Council Leader Cllr George Duggins.

“It’s been a tough year, and the team, as well as all of our venues, artists, and organisations, have worked tirelessly to organise and plan a year-long celebration of our storey and community.

“As we prepare to welcome our tourists when restrictions allow, our city centre has also undergone major changes, and it is such an exciting period of change and opportunity for the city.

“Because of the pandemic and all of the problems it has caused, this year is more critical than ever. It’s now our chance to give the city and country the fresh start they deserve, and to welcome people back into the community and to some incredible events.

“This is Coventry’s year, and I want everyone to take part in it, enjoy it, and see what our city is capable of. It’s a year to celebrate our heritage and the city we’ve been, but it’s also a year to help us develop the Coventry of the future and make something special for everybody who lives here.”

The Coventry 2021 website, as well as its Facebook and Twitter accounts, provide detailed information about the activities and how to watch them.

A big launch event is scheduled for June 5th, when Coventry Moves, a day-long festival, will tell the storey of Coventry’s groundbreaking identity and how it helps to influence the city’s future, as well as give voice to the many people who call the city home.

Both activities are being prepared in a scalable and attentive manner so that they can be delivered in accordance with the protocols in force at the time they take place in 2021-22.