'Incredibly rich' programme for Bradford 2025 expected as announcement looms

Bradford's bid to become UK City of Culture in 2025 has moved a step closer with the announcement of “an incredibly rich programme” when the bid is submitted to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) later this year.

The bid has been named "Bradford 2025: Our Time is Now" and has been written following extensive consultation with local artists, companies and communities. It will focus on Bradford's unique cultural heritage, diversity and ambition to become “a city that inspires”.

But sources close to the bid have described the programme as "incredibly rich".

In a joint statement, Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council, and David Walsh, Chair of Bradford 2025, said: “We don't want to steal the thunder of the DCMS announcement later in the year. But we wanted to give a little taster of what is to come because we believe we have created something very special indeed.”

"The bid captures the essence of Bradford - its heritage, its diversity, its spirit of innovation and its ambition to become a city that inspires. It is an incredibly rich programme, with something for everyone, and we are confident that it will demonstrate to the judges why Bradford is the UK's best choice for City of Culture 2025."

The Bradford 2025 bid is expected to be submitted to the DCMS in late summer. A shortlist of cities will be announced in early 2023, with the winner being named next spring.

The bid will focus on Bradford's five key themes:

• Bradford's cultural heritage
• Bradford's diversity
• Bradford's ambition to become a city that inspires
• Bradford's unique voice
• Bradford's spirit of innovation

The bid will also highlight Bradford's plans for a year-long programme of cultural events in 2025, which will include major new commissions, exhibitions, performances and community events.

Bradford is one of eight cities that have submitted a bid to become UK City of Culture 2025. The other cities are: Peterborough, Birmingham, Coventry, Darlington, Derby, Southampton and Wolverhampton.

The Bradford 2025 bid website contains more information about the bid and the programme of events planned for 2025.