Foyle MP Mark Durkan has called for an end to what he described as the “turf squaring” between the groups tasked with running Derry’s City of Culture.
Foyle MP Mark Durkan
The SDLP representative said Culture Company and Derry City Council staff along with the “many delivery partners” in the cultural sector deserved acknowledgement and encouragement to ensure an optimum legacy for the City of Culture.
He said given all successes and highlights of the year, it is obvious that not only hasd “somebody somewhere done something right” but a lot of people have done a “lot of things right.”
He added: “We also need to marshal that same talent, work and will for the remainder of this special year.
“Culture company staff, Council staff and the many delivery partners in our cultural sector deserve acknowledgement and encouragement.
“In executing an ambitious and extensive calendar of events there would inevitably be tensions, apprehensions, doubts and differences.
“A great year for the city thanks to all concerned should not be defined or undermined by the portrayal of working disagreements or executive exchanges.
“The Council, Culture Company and all the other essential deliverers of an eventful, enjoyable year should know and show that they have the confidence of the city and of each other in discharging the remainder of the City of Culture mandate and ensuring the optimum legacy.
“The success of the year means that there will be new issues, ideas, options and ambitions to be discussed and determined. Positive public debate on these should be embraced, not evaded.”
Mr Durkan concluded: “The important thing is to conduct it as positive, purposeful discussion recruiting the insights and talents of culture activists and other civic interests and not portrayed as turf-squaring between different authorities and agencies.”
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