Full house for first look at Bradford 2025 events

A packed hall heard all about the City of Culture events lined up for next year

From David Hockney to Dynamo, the stellar line-up of events announced for Bradford's tenure as UK City of Culture 2025 has left the city's inhabitants "standing up straighter" organisers say.

On Thursday, the 1,335-seat St George's Hall was packed out with people eager to hear what lies in store during the year-long programme of events.

Hosted by TV presenter Dr Amir Khan and BBC News Voices rising star Irene Kaali the audience cheered almost continuously as the details were revealed.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast earlier, Shanaz Gulzar, the creative director behind Bradford's City of Culture events, said you could "feel the pride" following the announcement.

Among the highlights were a nationwide drawing project backed by artist David Hockney, an event created by magician Steven Frayne - formerly known as Dynamo - and the prestigious Turner Prize being held in the city.

Other events include Asian Dub Foundation performing the soundtrack to the film La Haine live and a retelling of the Railway Children at the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway.

St George's Hall was almost full to capacity for the BD25 programme launch

Ms Gulzar said it was "extraordinary" for the city to tell its own story.

"You can feel the pride, Bradfordians are standing up straighter," she said.

"To see your city, to see yourself represented, you couldn’t ask for a better platform."

She explained that City of Culture events would feature music, theatre and a programme of 25 new walks, as the Bradford district is 67% rural.

"It’s about 144sq miles (373sqkm) so that’s quite big, I’ve got a huge canvas," she added.

Bradford Council leader Susan Hinchcliffe was also at the red carpet event.

She said: "It's been a brilliant night, everybody's really enjoyed it and it's a great programme for next year.

"So I think they've done us proud the City of Culture Trust and there will be more to come, of course.

"It's just a taster of what's going to happen and 'wow', what we've got to look forward to is amazing."

A flash mob was held outside City Hall as part of the programme launch

The council leader added: "David Hockney, one of Bradford's sons, is really important for us. It's wonderful that he's part of it.

"And of course the opening ceremony, I'm really excited about that.

"Dynamo. Who knows what's going to happen? Who knows what he's going to conjure up out of thin air."

Music is a big feature in next year's events with brass bands and South Asian music featuring alongside the Bassline music genre which has its origins in Yorkshire.

Alex Croft, creative director at Kala Sangam arts centre, said: "I'm super excited. La Haine and Asian Dub Foundation are the thing for me. I can't wait to see that.

"You look at that programme and you feel that everyone in Bradford is represented."

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