Forum Brief: Culture Capital

Tessa Jowell has announced that Liverpool is to become the 2008 European Capital of Culture.

The culture secretary said the city had submitted a bid with "vision, passion and enthusiasm".

Forum Response: Liverpool City Council

Mike Storey, leader of the city council, said: "This is a proud day for the new Liverpool. It's like Liverpool winning the Champions League, Everton winning the Double and the Beatles re-forming all on the same day - and Steven Spielberg coming to the city to make a Hollywood blockbuster about it.

"This decision means so much to the city. It gives us the opportunity to bring real change for the better. This honour will help transform our city for good. A lot of people have worked very hard to deliver this bid and they deserve huge congratulations. But this is a day for the people of Liverpool to celebrate. We are all winners today.

"The people of Liverpool defined our bid, they took part in culture like no other city and really brought it to life. They backed the city to the hilt, talking us up and telling everyone that we meant business and that we would deliver. Liverpool was hungry to win this title - now we will deliver a brilliant year of truly amazing cultural events and activities for our country and for Europe."

Forum Response: Royal Shakespeare Company

Michael Boyd, artistic director of the RSC, said: "It's really disappointing that the Newcastle/Gateshead bid has been unsuccessful. The bid was a strong one which we were proud to be part of.

"We've been planning some exciting projects with the bid team, including a new version of the Mystery Plays adapted by Lee Hall, a large-scale education project, and a major theatrical investigation into the history of dissent in Europe.

"I think these things should still happen. There's a great energy in the city that I hope we can build on. What important now is that we don't lose the momentum we've built in preparing for the bid.

"The RSC's annual month-long residency in Newcastle, now in its 27th year, is unique. The city already feels like a real northern home for the Company, but we need to develop that, despite the bid decision."

Forum Response: Visual Arts and Galleries Association

Hilary Gresty, director of VAGA, told ePolitix.com: "VAGA welcomes the success of Liverpool. Visual arts have a long, rich, imaginative and diverse history on Merseyside - from the Lady Lever and Walker Art Galleries, to the John Moores Competition, the international programmes of Tate Liverpool and the Liverpool Biennial and the recent opening of the FACT building as the UK's leading venue for film, video and interactive media. There is also an extensive network of smaller artist led projects and galleries.

"This creative underpinning gives Liverpool the advantage of practising artists' vision and imagination - something of immense value at times of social and economic change. The work of the Liverpool Housing Action Trust arts programme is just one example to date where visual art has helped smooth social transition.

"Liverpool's nomination is an acknowledgement of the imaginative and creative potential of the visual arts to further social and economic well being and to enhance the quality of life for the citizens of Liverpool and Europe."