Belfast is set to bid for UNESCO City of Music status in 2021 as part of plans to transform city’s cultural scene.
The council has launched its draft Cultural Strategy, ‘A City Imagining’ , and is calling on residents to get involved and have their say on how the city’s cultural offering can be developed and celebrated over the next decade.
As part of their proposals, the council said a key strategic milestone will be bidding for UNESCO City of Music status in 2021.
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Other plans include an international year of culture in 2023 and the opening of a new visitor attraction in 2024.
Alistair Reid, Strategic Director of Place and Economy Belfast City Council , said: "There is an abundance of evidence that a vibrant arts and cultural scene drives tourism, attracts investment, promotes inclusion and community cohesion, and retains and attracts talent – all priorities within our Belfast Agenda.
"We’ve been having conversations with the public on the development of the city’s cultural and creative offering since 2017 as part of an ongoing engagement programme, and these conversations have helped to shape the draft cultural strategy which we’re unveiling today.
"We want people to dream big; to share their ideas on how they imagine our city in 10 years’ time. People are at the heart of culture, and so it is important for us that our strategy has a strong citizen-focussed approach, that it provides long-term sustainability for the sector, and is integrated as part of major developments plans such as the Belfast Story destination hub."
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The plans are out for public consultation for 12 weeks, and during that time, people are being encouraged to share feedback and ideas on how the themes and priorities outlined in the draft can be realised.
Mr Reid added: "It’s important for us to have a partnership with the cultural sector and recognise and support local creative talent. We want to see creativity and culture effect change, and to bring ideas to fruition; for our city to be enriched and empowered through being connected and engaged.
"For some people culture is sport, it’s art, it’s music, it’s the buildings around us, the food we eat, or the languages we speak – culture is everywhere, and we want to really harness that and bring people along on the journey with us."
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To find out how to have your say, click here .
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