Ministers back City of Culture bid

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, MP, MLA and Junior Minister Robin Newton ,MLA, are in Liverpool today to support the Derry/Londonderry City of Culture bid.

Speaking at the bid presentation to judges, Mr McGuinness said it was a source of great pride for him to be involved in his home city’s bid to become City of Culture.

Mr McGuinness said: “As a Derry man it is a source of great personal pride to be here to support my native city.

“This bid however does not just represent Derry it enjoys support from across all parts and all communities in the North who are all fully aware of the enormous potential cultural, social and economic benefits which it will bring.

“It is a celebration of the richness of our culture, the ever growing diversity of our communities and the huge energy, excitement and enthusiasm that is at the very core of our people.

“To have reached this advanced stage in the competition is a tribute to the everyone involved and success would be a fitting tribute to them.”

Minister Newton said: "Londonderry is a city rich in history and rich in its traditions but it is also a city looking to its future.

"Its people have always been immensely proud of their great city, but in recent months they have channelled that pride into this bid. I can assure there is no other bid that means as much to its inhabitants as this one.

"The people of Londonderry, the North West and Northern Ireland and their political representatives, stand united behind this bid.

"To recognise Londonderry today as the UK City of Culture 2013 will not only transform a city but a region and indeed a country both culturally and economically for years to come."

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