January Newsletter

Liverpool – European Capital of Culture 2008

Liverpool, the city that gave the world the Beatles and the Merseybeat sound, is being celebrated as European Capital of Culture 2008, with a huge host of events throughout the year.

Liverpool faced stiff competition for the title of European Capital of Culture, vying with Oxford, Cardiff, Bristol and Birmingham, but the judges were swayed by Liverpool’s world heritage status as one of the world’s former maritime powerhouses and its vibrant arts and music scene that has been well established in the city since the 1960s.

The city’s maritime heritage has its origins in the slave trade when Liverpool grew into a major merchant centre. By the Victorian age Liverpool was one of the world’s leading ports and for many heading to the new worlds of America and Australia, Liverpool was their embarkation point. Indeed it was from Liverpool that the Titanic set out on her ill-fated voyage across the Atlantic.

Liverpool’s maritime heritage greatly influenced the character of its people, with well established communities of Irish and Caribbean people. When the American GI’s stationed here in WWII they brought their rhythm and blues, leading to the Merseybeat sound which influenced the Beatles on their road to superstardom.

Now after half a century of economic decline, Liverpool’s year as European Capital of Culture is heralding a revival for this always vibrant and colourful city.

The year’s events kick off on January 12th in appropriate fashion with ‘Liverpool – The Musical’ setting the story of the city to music, with guests Ringo Starr and the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.

Throughout the year Liverpool’s galleries will be attracting world-class collections with the Tate exhibiting Picasso’s Weeping Woman and Mondrian’s Composition with Yellow, Blue and Red (until April) and the first comprehensive exhibition of Gustav Klimt’s work ever staged in the UK, featuring over 100 works. The Tate Liverpool celebrates its 20th Birthday from May 3-5, which will involve a number of special exhibitions from the gallery’s history. Another truly heart stopping exhibit is the installation called Turning the Place Over by Richard Wilson, who has cut a vast 8m wide section of a building – Cross Keys House, and mounted it on a giant rotating pivot.

While Liverpool’s theatres like the Playhouse, the Everyman and the Empire, who introduced the likes of Julie Waters and Alan Bleasdale to acting also have an excellent run of shows to enjoy, such as Beckett’s Endgame at the Everyman from April 11-May 3, to King Lear also at the Everyman from October 30 – November 29 with Pete Postlethwaite taking the title role in this classic Shakespearean play.

Liverpool’s musical events throughout the year include Ecce Cor Meum (Behold My Heart) played by Sir Paul McCartney at Liverpool Cathedral on May 1st and the world famous Mathew Street Music Festival over the August Bank Holiday weekend, celebrating the city’s musical heritage close to the famous Cavern where the Beatles and many bands like them first hit the stage. While from November 1st –16th the music returns to the city during Liverpool Music Week, with a host of exciting live acts throughout the city.

In celebration of Liverpool’s maritime heritage two of the world’s most prestigious boating events come to the Mersey waterfront. The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race finishes in Liverpool on July 4, while Albert Dock will be filled with Tall Ships as the Tall Ships Race 08 stops by from July 18-21. Later in the year the city’s shipping heritage is explored through literature with the Shipping Lines Festival at various venues throughout November.

Other highlights throughout the year include the Grand National, the most famous steeplechase horse-racing event in the world from April 3-5, the Lord Mayor’s Parade on June 7th with floats, music and dance throughout the city centre, Liverpool’s 5th Biennial featuring experimental art works throughout the city from September 20th – November 30th, Liverpool’s Irish heritage will be celebrated with the Liverpool Irish Festival (October 8th –19th) with events at various venues throughout the city including Christy Moore playing at the Philharmonic Hall on the 11th. While for Halloween, there is a Lantern Festival of spooky goings on in Sefton Park.

If you’re planning a vacation to Britain this year don’t miss out on the European Capital of Culture 2008, be sure to put Liverpool on your travel itinerary.