Aberdeen & Dundee throw hats into UK City of Culture 2017 ring
March 6 2013
In addition to competing against each other for the accolade both will also have to see off nine other challengers scattered throughout the country who are all equally intent on claiming the prestigious title for themselves.
Dundee will fancy its chances on the back of its ongoing waterfront regeneration, of which a new V&A outpost will act as centrepiece. Aberdeen meanwhile is set to overhaul its main art gallery
Culture secretary Ed Vaizey said: “The competition brings together communities and creates economic and social benefits and I am pleased to see so many local authorities and different partners coming together."
The full list of hopefuls for the title are Chester, East Kent, Hastings and Bexhill-on-Sea, Hull, Leicester, Plymouth, Portsmouth and Southampton, Southend-on-Sea and Swansea Bay.
Londonderry is the current UK City of Culture 2013.
Formal bid submissions will be made by each city by 30 April with a shortlist to be announced in June.
7 Comments
#1 Posted by wonky on 6 Mar 2013 at 12:15 PM
Has to be Dundee. It has momentum and would truly benefit. The same cannot be said for Aberdeen.
#2 Posted by Don Don on 6 Mar 2013 at 19:37 PM
This is why the City Garden Project needs to happen, it will provide a genuine contest - with no loser. The two cities are 50mins apart.
#3 Posted by Oli on 7 Mar 2013 at 13:39 PM
Dundee will have the V&A and redeveloped waterfront before then, what'll Aberdeen have? More bloody Stewartie Milnes...
#4 Posted by wonky on 7 Mar 2013 at 17:00 PM
Does everyone in the coalition cabinet have smooth cheeks- do Osbourne, Vaizey and Cameron all use the same skin cream? What is it with Etonians and the aspiration (including the admiration) of smooth cheeks?
#5 Posted by wonky on 7 Mar 2013 at 20:05 PM
...and three monsters came from one dinosaur egg.
#6 Posted by Glas Don on 8 Mar 2013 at 09:06 AM
Agreed wonky, but with the potential redevelopment of Union Street - which would be something all cities could utilise - Aiberdeen has potential but just isnt there yet
#7 Posted by superjim on 8 Mar 2013 at 10:36 AM
Perhaps both of these cities would be better served concentrating on getting some of the proposed projects built before looking to be rewarded for them beforehand. Both Cities have clearly demonstrated an ineptitude in recent times when it comes to delivering (Aberdeen moreso than Dundee granted).
As an Aberdonian I can see nothing that would warrant a title such as "City of Culture" however meaningless it may be.
As an Aberdonian I can see nothing that would warrant a title such as "City of Culture" however meaningless it may be.
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