Our Time To Shine

Leicester is proud to be bidding to become UK City of Culture 2017. The decision on this honour will be announced by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) on 20 November.

Our bid has showcased the creativity and diversity of its people –people who have backed the bid in song, in pictures and even in pastry… Will it be enough? Keep everything crossed for us!

The bid highlight Leicester’s strengths as a cultural destination: a city that’s attractive to its residents, many visitors, and potential investors. We will do this in four ways…

Building pride in our city

We will build up pride in Leicester making our city more visible to the rest of the UK, Europe and the world.

Opening up culture to all

We want to open up culture to everyone in the city, county and beyond. We also want our activities, people and venues to create cultural opportunities and long lasting partnerships.

Sharing the benefits

We will share the success of our growing visitor economy, and the expertise of our creative industries, by increasing opportunities to learn about culture through education and training.

Connecting young people with culture

We want our young people to enjoy culture. Over 50% of our population is under 30 and we want them to engage with culture and the wider city.

Here’s why we believe Leicester is the ideal candidate:

An eventful city

Our cultural scene covers art, craft and design, dance, film, music and theatre. We also have a great track record for hosting big events and a rich history that includes the recent discovery of King Richard III’s remains.

Diwali

Leicester’s Diwali celebrations are among the biggest outside of India, with up to 35,000 people attending the annual switch on of the lights on Belgrave Road.

Dave’s Leicester Comedy Festival

Britain’s longest-running comedy festival, nationally acclaimed as “one of the top five comedy festivals in the world”

Richard III Exhibition

This record–breaking exhibition tells the story of King Richard III, his life and the search for his lost remains.

In Leicester, a successful bid could be worth millions of pounds to the local economy – and could lead to the creation of around 6,000 new jobs in the arts, entertainment and recreation sector by 2020.

An exciting programme of events in 2017 would attract visitors to Leicestershire in their thousands – and should make everyone in Leicester feel proud that the city they call home has finally got the recognition it deserves.

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT

It’s easy to show your support and you can do this in several ways.

Pledge your support on Twitterand Facebook.

Twitter

Follow us on Twitter (@Leicester2017) and share with us how you’re backing the bid.

Use the hashtags, #Leicester2017 and #UKCityofCulture, so you’re part of the conversation.

Help us spread the word about Leicester’s bid, Tweet from your personal or organisation’s profile to show you’re backing the bid!

Show that you’re supporting the bid by using our suggested tweet below:

I’m backing the bid to make Leicester the #UKCityofCulture 2017. Follow @leicester2017 and RT to show your support! #Leicester2017

For added impact, send this tweet to the DCMS (@DCMS)

Facebook

Like us on facebook and send your messages of support, images and videos.

Help spread the word about Leicester’s bid, post on your personal or organisation’s profile to show you’re backing the bid!

Big up the bid by posting our suggested facebook message below:

I’m backing the bid to make Leicester the UK City of Culture 2017. Like their page to show your support too! facebook.com/leicester2017

Further information is available from the official bid website http://www.leicestercityofculture2017.co.uk/