Mayor thanks everyone for UK culture effort

The winners of the title will be announced tonight and hopes are high amongst those who backed the bid that Londonderry will be UK City of Culture in 2013.

The initiative was launched by the former Labour government and a working group reported last June that it would bring considerable benefits to the host city and nation.

The group said: "The rationale for this new policy initiative is to enable other cities to experience the benefits that Glasgow and Liverpool enjoyed as European City/Capital of Culture, and which the Liverpool legacy work is now seeking to perpetuate.

"Liverpool succeeded in generating an 800 million boost to the regional economy and is considered by the EU as having set the template for future Capitals of Culture."

Liverpool City Council spent 70m plus throughout 2008.

Mayor Colum Eastwood commented: "The effort that has gone into the Derry-Londonderry bid has been simply astonishing and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the agencies, organisations and individuals who have played their part.

"No job has been too large. No request has been denied. No task, great or small, has been shirked.

"In keeping with the message of our bid, whenever anyone was asked for their assistance, they 'Just Said Yes.'"

The build-up to the announcement will begin later this afternoon when the area outside the City of Culture Office will be the focal point of the activity.

From 2pm to 5pm there will be a wide range of activities including a DJ Set by 'Purple Rain' performance by local Indie band No Mean City, Hip-Hop dancing and Irish Dancing.

Later that evening from 6pm to 8.30 pm, the spotlight will switch to the Guildhall where the tension is sure to be palpable as we await the decision of the judging panel.

The announcement will be the highlight of a cultural showcase which will include performances by two of the city's brightest musical talents, Meabh McGinley and Paul Casey.

You can tune into BBC One for the announcement live between 7 and 7.30pm, listen to BBC Foyle/Ulster between 7 – 8pm or drop into Guildhall Square and watch it live on the Big Screen in Guildhall Square.

Regardless of the result, on the Friday from 11 am to 5pm, there will be celebration/thank-you event outside the City of Culture Office with arts and crafts a performance by local band 'John Deery and the Heads', DJ set, Irish and Ulster Scots Dancing and face painting and balloon modelling.

Keep an eye on the City of Culture website http://www.cityofculture2013.com/ and City of Culture Facebook site for further details.