A magic show in the city centre, the Brontës as you’ve never seen them before and a bass symphony are all part of the programme for Bradford City of Culture, which organisers call a celebration of everything that makes the West Yorkshire city great.
Shanaz Gulzar, creative director of Bradford 2025, the UK City of Culture, said the whole country was invited to come next year to a place she described as young, diverse, creative and “the heart of the UK”.
“The UK is invited to Bradford in 2025,” he said. “Not only will the public want to celebrate everything that makes Bradford great, but they will also want to be part of the change for this vibrant city and district.”
Steven Frayne, formerly known as magician Dynamo, will kick off the year with his new show Rise, which is inspired by the story of his grandfather who taught him magic as a child in Bradford. It is directed by theatre director Kirsty Housley and will be staged in the city centre, not far from where Frayne used to perform street magic.
The Turner Prize will be presented at the Cartwright Corridor, which has one of the largest collections of black British and South Asian art in the UK. This year’s exhibition of works by the nominees, including Claudette Johnson and Pio Abad, will open in Bradford in September 2025.
Bradford is “the heart of the UK,” said Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture creative director Shanaz Gulzar, pictured with chief executive Dan Bates. Photograph: Owen Humphreys/PA Media Assignments/PA
Charles Hazlewood has presented his collaborative piece, Bradford Progress, in which he brings together his paraorchestra with Jeremy Deller for a “sonic journey” that will be performed across the district and involve local musicians.
“This can start somewhere far away, on a moor, with someone singing or playing, and that person moves on and then meets another musician who may join in. And little by little, this grows in scale and scope, exponentially,” Hazlewood said.
“This thing is slowly moving towards Bradford, getting bigger and bigger. So when it gets to the centre of Bradford, there should be one last big giant hurrah.”
Traditionally, cultural cities programmes might be criticised for not giving enough space to local talent, but Bradford 2025 contains many artists who call the city home.
The Frequent Wealth theatre company will present a new work; the native director Jack King (who won The inaugural Sean Connery Award Also taking part in the Edinburgh Film Competition is Andrea Dunbar, who will be playing in her home town 45 years after the premiere of her first play, The Arbor. West Yorkshire filmmaker Clio Barnard, who directed a verbatim documentary about Dunbar’s life and that of her children, will be presenting a series of films about northern working women at the city’s Pictureville cinema.
Other film offerings include a live soundtrack to Mathieu Kassovitz classic La Haine by Asian Dub Basis, while Mike Kenny’s Olivier Award-winning adaptation of The Railway Kids will be staged on the Keighley & Price Valley Railway.
The city’s literary family, the Brontës, are also involved in a project that sees a new generation of writers reinterpret their work, and the Northern Opera Orchestra joins bass musicians such as DJ Q and TS7 for Bassline Symphony, as classical musicians reimagine tracks from the genre.
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Bradford beat off competition from Southampton, County Durham and County Wrexham to take the City of Culture crown.
Bradford city centre is undergoing a £45m infrastructure project to pedestrianise large areas. Photograph: Richard Saker/The Guardian
However, there have been serious concerns about whether Bradford will be ready to host the year-round celebrations that begin in January. There is an ongoing £45m infrastructure project to pedestrianise large parts of the city centre which has been delayed and left much of it looking like a building site.
The scheme is designed to reduce congestion and air pollution, but as with delays at the 4,000-seat Bradford Dwell music venue, the local press has criticised the amount of time it is taking.
However, organisers and local politicians have highlighted the increased investment and opportunities that can come with being a cultural capital. Hull received £219m during and after its city of culture year in 2017.
Lisa Nandy, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, said: “This celebration of the city’s born and bred talent will help more people of all ages and backgrounds get involved in cultural events, creating good jobs and opportunities for young people.”
What events can we expect at Bradford City of Culture 2025 that celebrate diversity and creativity?
Table of Contents
Bradford City of Culture 2025: A Celebration of Diversity and Creativity
Bradford, a vibrant city in West Yorkshire, has been crowned the UK City of Culture for 2025, and it’s gearing up for a year-long celebration of its rich cultural heritage. The city’s creative director, Shanaz Gulzar, has invited the entire country to join in the festivities, promising an unforgettable experience that showcases the best of Bradford.
A Diverse Programme of Events
The programme for Bradford City of Culture 2025 is a testament to the city’s diversity and creativity. It features a range of events that cater to diverse tastes and interests. One of the highlights is a magic show in the city centre, presented by Steven Frayne, aka Dynamo, who will perform his new show, Rise, inspired by his grandfather’s magic tricks. The show is directed by theatre director Kirsty Housley and will be staged in the heart of the city.
Another major event is the Turner Prize, which will be presented at the Cartwright Corridor, home to one of the largest collections of black British and South Asian art in the UK. The exhibition will feature works by nominees, including Claudette Johnson and Pio Abad, and will open in Bradford in September 2025.
Local Talent Takes Centre Stage
Unlike other cultural cities programmes, Bradford City of Culture 2025 has made a conscious effort to give local talent a platform to shine. The Frequent Wealth theatre company will present a new work, while native director Jack King will showcase his skills. West Yorkshire filmmaker Clio Barnard will present a series of films about northern working women at the city’s Pictureville cinema.
The city’s literary family, the Brontës, will also be involved in a project that sees a new generation of writers reinterpret their work. The Northern Opera Orchestra will join forces with bass musicians such as DJ Q and TS7 to create a Bassline Symphony, reimagining tracks from the genre.
Infrastructure Challenges
Despite the excitement surrounding the City of Culture celebrations, there are concerns about whether Bradford will be ready to host the year-round events. The city centre is undergoing a £45m infrastructure project to pedestrianise large areas, which has been delayed and left much of the area looking like a building site. However, the scheme is designed to reduce congestion and air pollution, and the city is working hard to ensure that everything is in place for the big launch in January.
A City on the Move
Bradford’s City of Culture status is not just about hosting a series of events; it’s about transforming the city and its surroundings. The city is already witnessing a surge in investment and development, with new businesses and attractions springing up. The City of Culture celebrations will provide a further
Bradford City of Culture 2025: A Celebration of the City’s Vibrant Spirit
In 2025, Bradford will take center stage as the UK City of Culture, and the city is gearing up to showcase its diverse cultural heritage and vibrant spirit. According to Shanaz Gulzar, creative director of Bradford 2025, the city invites the whole country to join in the celebration of everything that makes Bradford great [2[2].
The program for Bradford City of Culture 2025 promises to be an exciting and eclectic mix of performances, events, and exhibitions that will showcase the city’s rich cultural landscape. One of the highlights of the program is a magic show in the city center, featuring Steven Frayne, also known as Dynamo, who will present his new show Rise, inspired by his grandfather’s magic tricks [1[1].
Other notable events include the presentation of the Turner Prize at the Cartwright Corridor, which has one of the largest collections of black British and South Asian art in the UK [3[3]. The exhibition will feature works by nominees, including Claudette Johnson and Pio Abad, and will open in Bradford in September 2025.
Musical offerings include Charles Hazlewood’s collaborative piece, Bradford Progress, which brings together his paraorchestra with Jeremy Deller for a “sonic journey” that will be performed across the district and involve local musicians. The Northern Opera Orchestra will also join forces with bass musicians such as DJ Q and TS7 for Bassline Symphony, a unique fusion of classical and bass music [2[2].
The city’s literary family, the Brontës, will also be celebrated through a project that sees a new generation of writers reinterpret their work. Additionally, local talent will be showcased through events such as the Frequent Wealth theatre company’s new work and film screenings at the Pictureville cinema [2[2].
Bradford 2025 promises to be a celebration of the city’s diverse culture, creativity, and community spirit. With over 1,000 new performances and events planned, the city is set to come alive with energy and excitement in 2025 [2[2].
In the words of Shanaz Gulzar, “The UK is invited to Bradford in 2025… Not only will the public want to celebrate everything that makes Bradford great, but they will also want to be part of the change for this vibrant city and district” [1[1].
Join the celebration and experience the best of Bradford in 2025!
