The awarding of the City of Music status by UNESCO to Belfast has caused ‘a lot of anger’ in Derry, according to Aontú councillor Emmet Doyle.
The Ballyarnett councillor raised the matter at the November meeting of Derry City and Strabane District Council after he had been contacted by a number of ‘very unhappy musicians and cultural ambassadors’ over the last number of weeks.
The accolade was recently awarded to Belfast due to its ‘rich musical heritage’ following a bid by Belfast City Council. It is the third UK city to be given the accolade, previously awarded to Liverpool in 2015 and Glasgow in 2008.
Councillor Doyle said the anger has arisen because ‘we as a council did not progress any bid given our history with music and the arts and given that it is something we are very proud of in our city and district.’
He added: “I have to say there is a lot of anger out there that Belfast City Council had the brass neck to use the Undertones and music that was written by Phil Coulter as part of their bid.
“I now see that Loganair are now promoting Belfast as the City of Music and adding that to their tourism offering.
“Derry is the city of music, it’s not Belfast, it never has been going right back to Ceceil Francis Alexander, right up to the present day.
“In future, decisions like this should be going through the council, not a working group.”
Councillor Doyle also informed members a meeting has already been set up between himself, head of culture Aeidin McCarter and John Kerr, arts and culture manager.
