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Derry-Londonderry plans spectacular start to UK City of Culture year Derry-Londonderry plans spectacular start to UK City of Culture year
(about 2 hours later)
By Michael O'Donnell BBC NewsBy Michael O'Donnell BBC News
They say start as you mean to go on and the opening event of the Derry-Londonderry 2013 City of Culture year is going to be a moment to remember.They say start as you mean to go on and the opening event of the Derry-Londonderry 2013 City of Culture year is going to be a moment to remember.
Even before the clock ticks over into 2013, the city centre is going to be bathed in the most spectacular display of pyrotechnics ever seen in the area.Even before the clock ticks over into 2013, the city centre is going to be bathed in the most spectacular display of pyrotechnics ever seen in the area.
The fuse will be lit at exactly 20:13 GMT on New Year's Eve.The fuse will be lit at exactly 20:13 GMT on New Year's Eve.
It will herald the beginning of the historic, first ever UK City of Culture year.It will herald the beginning of the historic, first ever UK City of Culture year.
'Precious gift''Precious gift'
The excitement began in July 2010 when the city was awarded the title ahead of rival bids from Birmingham, Norwich, and Sheffield.The excitement began in July 2010 when the city was awarded the title ahead of rival bids from Birmingham, Norwich, and Sheffield.
At the announcement, Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said the award was "a precious gift for the peacemakers" in Northern Ireland.At the announcement, Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said the award was "a precious gift for the peacemakers" in Northern Ireland.
Actor James Nesbitt is chancellor of the University of Ulster, which has the Magee campus in the city.Actor James Nesbitt is chancellor of the University of Ulster, which has the Magee campus in the city.
He said: "This decision confirms what many of us in the province and further afield have known for many years - that Derry-Londonderry is a cultural powerhouse.He said: "This decision confirms what many of us in the province and further afield have known for many years - that Derry-Londonderry is a cultural powerhouse.
"Whether it is writers like Seamus Heaney and Seamus Deane, songwriters and performers like Phil Coulter or the Undertones, artists like Willie Doherty, film-makers like Margo Harkin and Tom Collins, or actors like Amanda Burton, Roma Downey and Bronagh Gallagher, the city has asserted a huge influence on the arts internationally.""Whether it is writers like Seamus Heaney and Seamus Deane, songwriters and performers like Phil Coulter or the Undertones, artists like Willie Doherty, film-makers like Margo Harkin and Tom Collins, or actors like Amanda Burton, Roma Downey and Bronagh Gallagher, the city has asserted a huge influence on the arts internationally."
Television producer and writer Phil Redmond, who headed the UK City Of Culture judging panel, said the award was "a cultural tool to bring people together".Television producer and writer Phil Redmond, who headed the UK City Of Culture judging panel, said the award was "a cultural tool to bring people together".
"When people read Derry's bid... it's about acknowledging the past, not shying away from the past, and using that point that the past informs our present and helps shape our future," he said."When people read Derry's bid... it's about acknowledging the past, not shying away from the past, and using that point that the past informs our present and helps shape our future," he said.
"If that is not the role of culture then I don't know what is.""If that is not the role of culture then I don't know what is."
'Musical heritage''Musical heritage'
The event will open with a Sons and Daughters concert on 20 January 2013 in the new, purpose-built building in Ebrington Square.The event will open with a Sons and Daughters concert on 20 January 2013 in the new, purpose-built building in Ebrington Square.
The aim of the concert is to celebrate Derry's rich musical heritage and will be broadcast by the BBC.The aim of the concert is to celebrate Derry's rich musical heritage and will be broadcast by the BBC.
The Turner Prize will also be staged in the former military barracks on Ebrington Square. It will be the first time the prestigious art competition has been held outside England.The Turner Prize will also be staged in the former military barracks on Ebrington Square. It will be the first time the prestigious art competition has been held outside England.
Playwright Brian Friel and actor Stephen Rea will return to the city with the Field Day theatre company, which was founded in the city in 1980.Playwright Brian Friel and actor Stephen Rea will return to the city with the Field Day theatre company, which was founded in the city in 1980.
They will present a new work by playwright Sam Shepard.They will present a new work by playwright Sam Shepard.
Derry City Council's Brendan McMenamin, lead programmer of the New Year's Eve event said it is going to be a great occasion.Derry City Council's Brendan McMenamin, lead programmer of the New Year's Eve event said it is going to be a great occasion.
"From 6:30pm (18:30 GMT) church bells across the city will ring out calling people to join in the celebrations and from 6.50pm (18:50 GMT) the show will commence," he said."From 6:30pm (18:30 GMT) church bells across the city will ring out calling people to join in the celebrations and from 6.50pm (18:50 GMT) the show will commence," he said.
'Brighter future''Brighter future'
"It will be accompanied by a musical arrangement that captures the journey of the city towards 2013, including some of the signature moments as part of the bid."It will be accompanied by a musical arrangement that captures the journey of the city towards 2013, including some of the signature moments as part of the bid.
"The show will place the Peace Bridge and the river centre stage and conclude with the sounds of the shirt factory horns to welcome the New Year and our ambitions for a brighter future for the city.""The show will place the Peace Bridge and the river centre stage and conclude with the sounds of the shirt factory horns to welcome the New Year and our ambitions for a brighter future for the city."
After the fireworks and pyrotechnic show, Culture Company's Sound of the City will provide musical entertainment across a number of venues in the city to mark the transition to 2013.After the fireworks and pyrotechnic show, Culture Company's Sound of the City will provide musical entertainment across a number of venues in the city to mark the transition to 2013.
Irelands leading electronic music festival, Celtronic, will stage an event at the historic St Columbs Hall.Irelands leading electronic music festival, Celtronic, will stage an event at the historic St Columbs Hall.
It will be headlined by one of the world's leading DJs and producers, Ewan Pearson.It will be headlined by one of the world's leading DJs and producers, Ewan Pearson.
The Nerve Centre will host a celebration of Derry's thriving music scene when some of the city's leading bands will ring in the New Year.The Nerve Centre will host a celebration of Derry's thriving music scene when some of the city's leading bands will ring in the New Year.
Will you be attending tonight's New Years celebrations in Londonderry? What do you think of Derry being the UK City of Culture in 2013? Send us your comments using the form below. Will you be attending tonight's new years celebrations in Londonderry? What do you think of Derry being the UK City of Culture in 2013? Send us your comments using the form below.