THERE’S just one week until the WeAre2023 bid is submitted for the European Capital of Culture competition in London, and it seems that even the dogs in the street are barking about it.
Belfast’s much loved canine celebrity Victor the bulldog is certainly getting on board.
Victor was seen today trying his branded ‘#WeAre2023’ skateboard for size at CS Lewis Square in east Belfast as the bid team rolls out a busy schedule of social media action, intended to really turn up the volume on support for the bid.
Pledges of support broke through the magic 2,023 figure last week and messages from high profile champions continue to stream in, with the latest contributors being the Belfast Giants, Tim Wheeler, lead singer with ASH, TV presenter Christine Lampard, screenwriter and director Terry George and acclaimed visual artist Colin Davidson.
During this seven day countdown to bid submission, the team is now calling for as many people as possible to do their bit for the bid by adding their names to the ever growing list of supporters at www.weare2023.eu It takes just a minute to click and add your e-mail address to be kept up to date with news on the bid and special events.
The WeAre2023 team will submit the bid in London on the deadline day, Friday, 27 October, followed by a presentation to a 10 strong expert judging panel at the end of November.
They’ll know by the end of the year if the bid has been shortlisted, and if so, they’ll carry out further public engagement and develop a second bid submission by summer 2018.
The winner will be announced later in 2018 and the preparation for a year-long programme of cultural events in 2023 will start in earnest.
For further information on Belfast City and Derry City and Strabane District Councils’ European Capital of Culture bid and to pledge your support, visit www.weare2023.eu
You can also join in the #WeAre2023 conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
