Plymouth City of Culture bid can "re-connect the city with itself", says theatre boss
PLYMOUTH'S drive to become UK City of Culture 2017 will "re-connect the city with itself", according to the chairman of the bid committee.
Adrian Vinken, chief executive of the Theatre Royal and chair of the culture board, believes the contest for the prestigious title is a chance for people living on the outskirts of Plymouth to be a part of the city's future.
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Adrian Vinken, chief executive of the Theatre Royal
Mr Vinken told The Herald: "We want to ensure this gives people and communities around the city the feeling that they are part of something.
"We want to make connections so these communities feel involved and have a real stake in events, activities and festivals and that we become one city, one ocean city.
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"It's that unifying force to get everybody feeling part of this great city and re-connecting the city with itself."
Mr Vinken defines culture as "everything that goes to make up the quality of life we have in the city and helps its development."
"Culture is the stuff we grow people in," he said. "It's what makes a Plymothian a Plymothian, as opposed to a Geordie."
Yesterday The Herald revealed the 10 other regions preparing outline bids for the 2017 title, which must be submitted by April 30.
Mr Vinken says the bid committee must draw on Plymouth's rich history – but should also embrace modern culture.
"I never cease to be amazed at what a remarkable place this is," he said. "There is a reason why there are 51 other Plymouths around the world. People went out from here and set up cultures across the globe. What we proved in the last few years by having the America's Cup and the British Art Show simultaneously in Plymouth was staggering – all we want to do is build on that."
If the bid is successful it could lead to a year of cultural events in Plymouth, attracting investment and creating jobs.
But Mr Vinken says the effects could go way beyond just a 12-month period.
"This is not just a one-off, it's not a question of waiting for 2017 and having lots of circuses and then at the end it will all stop," he said.
"It's about transforming the city for the future. We are looking at an increasing programme of events through 2014 and 2015 so that cultural activities will grow year on year. 2017 would not the end of it. It would be a stepping stone to Mayflower 2020, celebrating 400 years of cultural history between the UK and USA. By then I think the city could be in a remarkably different place. Whether or not we win this, it will be transformational for the city."
Comment: Page 11
9 Comments
by Nevman
Friday, March 08 2013, 4:48PM
“"Re-connect the city with itself": typical management BS designed to baffle brains.”
by Lashius
Friday, March 08 2013, 4:07AM
“I suspect newplymouth is a pcc plant on these pages....why? because the last time I saw them posting constantly was in the coverage of the Olympic torch relay etc with much the same get behind the city/support this thing rhetoric and they were justs as out of touch with the regular posters back then as well haha.”
by Lashius
Friday, March 08 2013, 4:04AM
“isnt it funny the only people who care about this damm title are the ones on some organization connected to the bid( like this guy and the culture board) why dont you ask the normal everyday people of Plymouth what we think thisisplymouth? we would rather our tax money was spent on improving the pretty poor services in this city rather then entering some random compeition which is simply a chance for more backslapping from the self serving idiots in charge of things.”
by Devonportboy
Friday, March 08 2013, 12:07AM
“"New Plymouth and Devonportboy are evidently newcomers to the city. Either that or they have a vested interest in lining their pockets.
yeah -only been here 50 odd years what would I know?”
by Lefkos
Thursday, March 07 2013, 5:51PM
“New Plymouth and Devonportboy are evidently newcomers to the city. Either that or they have a vested interest in lining their pockets. If you've been in this city long enough without a high income you will know that whatever big ideas are peddled with bells and whistles, eventually turn to dust. it all starts with a bang but like most fireworks, ends up falling to earth. Mr Vinkin didn't impress me at a meeting I attended for arts people in Devonport Guildhall a couple of years ago. He was very full of himself and had 'Me, me, me' written all over him. Only the sheep will follow. I now look forward to seeing lots of red arrows complements of the Herald journos!!!”
by notolisbon
Thursday, March 07 2013, 5:16PM
“Can somebody tell me what competition I have to enter to just be left the hell alone.
I don't want to "connect" to any part of a city.
I don't want to be involved in taking tax-payers' money from the more needy and ******* it up against a corporatist/luvvy wall.
What a load of pretentious bunkem this Vinken spouts.
Give my share of the money to the old, disabled, and their carers.”
by newplymouth
Thursday, March 07 2013, 8:45AM
“Well said Mr Vinken!
Let's hope all of Plymouth can get behind the Culture Bid and put behind us the "culture" of Whingeing and Wisecracking which IMHO will do nothing to help us win the bid.
The Herald can be read anywhere in the World(virtually) now and negative comments about our City and its cultural aspirations will only sell us short”
by Devonportboy
Thursday, March 07 2013, 8:14AM
“back the bid! Culture isn't something that only grows under jaygeeks' finger nails it's about who we are as Plymothians and what kind of city we want to be.”
by pogle63a
Thursday, March 07 2013, 7:56AM
“Plymouth City of Culture bid can "re-connect the city with itself", Entirely true statement mainly because we are in reality barely connected to anywhere else!
After yesterdays shock announcement that we have become "Britians Ocean City" definately unsure as to where we are now?”