In pictures: Derry's UK City of Culture year
- Published
The year started with a spectacular fireworks display along the River Foyle. The New Year's Eve event featured church bells ringing out across the city, an visual-electric performance culminating in the biggest fireworks display the city has ever seen, followed by musical entertainment across the city.
The first major event to be held was the BBC Produced 'Sons & Daughters' concert at the purpose built pavilion 'The Venue'.
The gala evening featured performances from many who were born in the city to celebrate Derry's cultural, historical and industrial achievements in music, word and song. Performers included Phil Coulter (pictured), Nadine Coyle, James Nesbitt and The Undertones.
In March, young people worked in collaboration with the Hofesh Shechter Company to take part in performances around the city centre as part of the 'Political Mother' event. The performances were the culmination of community collaborations that Hofesh Schecter held during a seven-week residency.
May saw BBC Radio 1 returning to the city to host its annual Big Weekend concerts at Ebrington Square. The event took place over three days between two venues and featured performances from artists such as Olly Murs, Little Mix, Bruno Mars, The Saturdays and more.
The event was a massive success, with all 37,500 tickets being reserved within hours of applications being received. Pictured is Scottish DJ Calvin Harris, who headlined the main stage on Friday evening.
The outdoor events continued in June when warm weather drew thousands to the city centre for the City of Culture's biggest outdoor event. Over 30,000 attended the event to celebrate 1,500 years since Saint Colmcille left Ireland's shore.
The 30-hour show was written by Frank Cottrell Boyce and culminated in a Loch Ness monster swimming up the River Foyle for an epic battle with the city's patron saint. Thousands of local residents took part and marched towards the river in costumes and music.
In June, the entire city came together for a day-long celebration of music. Music City was one of the biggest events in the City of Culture calendar and featured concerts, festivals and performances taking place from dawn on Friday to dawn on Saturday. Celebrations began with the Sky Orchestera (pictured), which featured seven hot air balloons playing music as they floated above the city.
A more unique event of Music City was the Sewing Machine Orchestra in the former Shirt Factory. Quebec composer Martin Messier gave old Singer sewing machines a musical makeover to create a unique musical experience
In August, huge crowds descended on the city for the All-Ireland fleadh. It was the first time the event had been held outside the Republic of Ireland. Thousands of people attended the opening ceremony at the Guildhall Square. The week long festival of traditional Irish music was said to have the potential to raise £40m for the north west.
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said it was "the start of a momentous week for the city, the north west, and for everyone in Ireland". Mr McGuinness is pictured here with The Roses as part of the International Rose of Tralee Tour which visited Derry as part of the Fleadh.
The All-Ireland fleadh was described by organisers as the 'biggest ever' with an estimated 430,000 people flocking to the city for music and dance. Director General of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, Labhrás Ó Múrchu said the festival is likely to return.
August saw the first-ever Walled City Tattoo taking place in Ebrington Barracks. A 600-strong cast performed over four nights to almost 16,000 people. The event featured pipes, drums, song, dance and theatre reflecting the city's history and culture. One hundred pipers and drummers from Tyrone, Donegal, Fermanagh and Londonderry performed with pipe bands from Newcastle upon Tyne, and mainland Europe.
In October, the much anticipated Lumiere festival saw Derry transformed into a spectacle of light. The festival saw seventeen illuminated human sculptures known as the 'travellers' have been placed around the Peace Bridge.
A major attraction for adults and children were these neon dogs. Inspired by balloon dogs, this collection of twelve colourful canines were placed in the Walker Courtyard. The dogs were created by Deepa Mann-Kler, who lives and works in Killyleagh, County Down.
Another major event to visit the city in November was the Tuner Prize 2013. It was the first time one of the world's most prestigious art events had been held outside England. However, one of the entrants caused controversy among some schools. David Shrigley (pictured) created a naked model showing a man urinating into a bucket.
Installation artist Laure Prouvost was announced as winner of the Turner Prize for her piece Wantee, which takes the audience in search of her fictional grandfather. It was announced by actress Saoirse Ronan at a ceremony in Londonderry, the UK City of Culture 2013.
One of the closing events of the year was the concert 'A Year in a Night'. Broadcast live from the nostalgic surroundings of St Columb's Hall, it looked back over the highlights of Derry's year as UK City of Culture 2013.
The UK City of Culture has been hailed a success by organisers, and to conclude, an announcement was made about Derry City Council's City of Culture Legacy plans. A £900,000 fund will be used for a range of music, fashion, storytelling and visual arts projects.
- Published31 December 2013
- Published2 January 2014