Before our City Of Culture bid was even submitted, I had found myself asking the question: can we learn?
The question had entered my head when I made another visit to the city of Edinburgh recently and was stunned by its history, galleries, natural beauty and landmarks, not to mention the lovely open spaces. This was not somewhere that needed to try to be a cultural city.
It’s obvious that we cannot compete with the likes of Edinburgh in terms of size. But there are many other ways in which we can learn from it and other cities in our bid to become the City Of Culture.
In my opinion, to be a City Of Culture, a city must be vibrant, full of identity and variety, and be welcoming. And Derry certainly meets those criteria.
Travel down the riverbank of the city and you’ve got beauty and variety in spades, from a gorgeous walkway to several restaurants unique to our little city. Venture both on and inside our famous walls to sample history, a wide range of amenities, and fine music, theatres, pubs and nightclubs. And experience the annual St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and Hallowe’en carnivals that have welcomed people to the city in spades!
At the risk of sounding too much like an advertisement, I can already spot areas for improvement. The riverbanks of the Waterside clearly do not hold the same attraction as the City Side. However, the jazzy nights of Prehen House, the Waterside Theatre and, of course, Radio One’s Big Weekend in the Prehen Playing Fields back in 2004, which saw the likes of Avril Lavigne play in the city, are certainly steps in the right direction.
The very mention of Lavigne’s name reminds me that we can learn from our neighbours in the east. Having the likes of the Waterfront, the Odyssey, the Ulster Hall and the Mandela Hall have enabled Belfast to be capable of attracting a far larger range, and higher-profile range, of artists than we have, on a more consistent basis. Is there a possibility that we can promote the Forum, the Nerve Centre, Sandinos and Mason’s even more than we have been doing? Will it help us to attract the kind of artists we haven’t as yet been able to attract?
We may also consider Strabane and Omagh, and their recent theatrical developments. As a member of the Londonderry Musical Society for nearly a decade, I have had the privilege of performing in some of the finest new theatres in the North West, and even the Waterfront Hall. The Strule Theatre and its surroundings really are a sight to behold at night. If Omagh can offer a Folk Park and a lovely little theatre, maybe we can learn from them?
While we have learnt from Newcastle and are constructing a fine footbridge of our own, maybe we could also learn from London, and the famous Thames boat trip. Perhaps a wheel, like that formerly in Belfast, would also do us good? We certainly have views worthy of one, as those of you who have dined in Austin’s rooftop restaurant or the Debenhams café will attest.
It is true the expansion of Magee Campus has given us a University worthy of a City Of Culture, and there will even be a new cinema opening right next to Brunswick Superbowl in the future. (The Omniplex on its own was never going to be enough.) However, an exclusive art house cinema would still be truly welcome, and it is here where I do believe we can learn from Belfast and the Queens Film Theatre. Having our own “QFT” might just free up space for more bands in the Nerve Centre…
Then, there is identity. Here, my first thought is to how brand names have taken over the high streets in many cities. And sure enough, as you drive down Culmore Road and onto Strand Road, you’ve got Franchise City on one side. McDonald’s, Subway, Four Star Pizza, KFC… you name it. Then again, what of arguably the finest Indian restaurant in the city, Chilli’s, unique to Derry, one the other side? Not to mention (don’t laugh) Wheeler’s. For all its greasiness, it’s still distinctly Derry. On this evidence, we have proven that we CAN learn – and HAVE learnt.
Sure, as we’re not a capital city, we will never boast a “national museum” of sorts. What we can boast, however, is a greater sense of homeliness and a more open, less congested city centre than the likes of former City Of Culture contenders Newcastle, Liverpool and Belfast! Their failed bids prove that it takes more than history and landmarks to truly establish a city as an official City Of Culture, and we can learn from them in this respect.
We may not have a Waterstones or a Pizza Hut, but do we really need them? Surely we don’t need to lose our identity in high street chains. We may take comfort from the routine that they provide, but then, we can take happiness in discovery of newer, more original things.
Whatever happens as a result of this bid, it all comes down to three little words: Can we learn?
Three more words: Yes we can.
[...] Can We Learn? Apparently, not everyone can. On this evidence, you would think that Derry really is only flourishing on the surface. [...]
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