Press Releases25 Feb 10

Bishop Ken Good welcomes Londonderry shortlisting for City of Culture

"I am delighted that Londonderry has been included in the four cities short-listed for UK City of Culture 2013. This is indeed good news and I commend those who have successfully spearheaded the initiative.

"Much is being said, quite rightly, about the potential economic benefit that could flow from this exciting opportunity. The possibility of many more visitors to the city, with the considerable benefits which would follow, is an exciting one that I warmly welcome.

"In addition to the financial impact, however, I can see some other significant benefits and opportunities which such a prize would offer us. Culture is a broad term. As well as including our history, with its splendid buildings and museums, it obviously covers the arts in their many and varied creative expressions: theatre, music, dance, poetry, literature, painting, film, and so the list goes on.

"But culture also includes the patterns of human behaviour – those of the city as a whole, and also those of the various groupings which make up its population. Culture includes the way we live with one another. The official criteria by which a successful City of Culture will be judged include the extent to which that city uses culture to lead to lasting social regeneration, and develops cultural diversity and cohesion.

"I am excited about the challenge this bid offers us as a city. We have become known as a city which has given a lead in imaginative and courageous initiatives before, when tackling social issues. This City of Culture bid provides us with a fresh opportunity to further develop a cohesive, positive, respectful flourishing and dynamic culture from within the city’s various rich traditions and cultures.

"In addition to growth and development in the various arts, the kind of culture I would also want us to become known for in this city is the way we relate to one another in an atmosphere of friendliness, welcome, mutual respect, genuine interest in the other and their welfare, trust, tolerance, reconciliation and compassion.

"That would be a legacy well worth striving for in any City of Culture, and I look forward to playing my part in working towards a successful bid for 2013."