The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has seen the world shut down and especially the music and cultures industry, where funding has been low. However, recent news has brought joy to the people of Coventry. Oliver Dowden, Secretary of State for the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport UK Government Department (DCMS) tweeted on the 7th of April announcing that the Coventry UK City of Culture event in 2021 will receive millions of pounds from the government to help produce a COVID- safe festival. He states in the tweet,” £3.5 million will be used to boost safety and hygiene methods as well as supporting live-streaming of events for everyone to enjoy at home.”
( Image credit: @OliverDowden on Twitter )
The UK City of Culture is a competition run by the DCMA every four years. For a whole year, they will celebrate their city with events, music, dance, theatre and large-scale spectacle. The entire region will get involved and benefit from the opportunities that being City of Culture brings.
( Image credit: @Coventry2021 on Twitter )
The news was also announced on their twitter (@coventry2021) and their website. Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden stated: “Coventry has demonstrated a remarkable resilience and ability to adapt during these challenging and unprecedented times. Now more than ever, it is vitally important that we bring our communities together through culture, arts and heritage.” Martin Sutherland, Chief Executive of Coventry City of Culture Trust stated: “This funding will help us to deliver our promises to Coventry and to the visitors we hope to welcome soon, starting with a Summer of Surprises. We are excited to share the extraordinary creativity from Coventry and explore new ways to use digital platforms and broadcast channels to reach new audiences both in person and at home.” This year of culture will open on 15th of May and can be enjoyed at home with the COVID-19 restrictions and will run for a year both in-person and online.
( Knife Angel outside Coventry Cathedral. Image credit Inpress Images )
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