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Derry-Londonderry plans spectacular start to UK City of Culture year Derry-Londonderry starts UK City of Culture year
(about 11 hours later)
By Michael O'Donnell BBC News A pyrotechnics display has marked the beginning of the href="http://www.cityofculture2013.com/" >Derry-Londonderry 2013 City of Culture year.
They say start as you mean to go on and the opening event of the href="http://www.cityofculture2013.com/" >Derry-Londonderry 2013 City of Culture year is going to be a moment to remember. The fuse was lit at 20:13 GMT, heralding the start of the first UK City of Culture year.
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. Derry will host 140 events during the year - including the Turner Prize and the Royal Ballet's first visit to Northern Ireland for 20 years.
The fuse will be lit at exactly 20:13 GMT on New Year's Eve. Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said the award was "a precious gift for the peacemakers" in Northern Ireland.
It will herald the beginning of the historic, first ever UK City of Culture year. Organiser Martin Bradley said: "The way that Derry-Londonderry has come together as a team to ensure that the full potential of 2013 is realised has been truly remarkable and will ensure the maximum possible benefits for all the people of the city."
'Precious gift' "As the first winners of this prestigious title, we have been pioneers, working without a blueprint and setting benchmarks for future UK cities of culture."
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. 'Precious gift'
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 year will open with a Sons and Daughters concert on 20 January 2013 in a new, purpose-built venue 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. It 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 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 was 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. He said: "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."
'Brighter future' After the fireworks, Culture Company's Sound of the City provided musical entertainment across a number of venues in the city to mark the transition to 2013.
"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. Irelands leading electronic music festival, Celtronic, staged an event at the historic St Columbs Hall.
"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." It was headlined by leading DJ and producer Ewan Pearson.
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. The Nerve Centre is hosting a celebration of Derry's thriving music scene when some of the city's leading bands will ring in the New Year.
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.
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.