Representatives from Coventry City of Culture Trust, city and national partners and community representatives will announce further programmes, initiatives and moments that will form part of Coventry’s year as UK City of Culture, which begins in May this year.

Coventry is a city of welcome, a city of activists and pioneers, a city of peace and reconciliation, a city of innovation and invention, and now a City of Culture. Coventry has always been a symbol of regeneration. Of movement. Of hope. Coventry is the city that rose from the ashes of the Second World War, a city that rallied through music when others were divided. This year, of all years, we will summon that same spirit.

Starting in May 2021 and running for 12 months, the 365-day Coventry 2021 programme will reflect Coventry as a diverse, modern city, demonstrating that culture is a force that changes lives, moving the city and the region forward. It is one of the first major cultural programmes of its scale, breadth and length to commence since the arrival of the pandemic. This will include announcements and updates from:

·       Chenine Bhathena, Creative Director for Coventry UK City of Culture

·       Martin Sutherland, Chief Executive for Coventry UK City of Culture

·       Cory Barrett, Cultural Leader on the Coventry Leadership Programme

·       Cara Pickering, Visual Arts Producer for Coventry UK City of Culture

·       City Hosts: Dennis Brittain, Vijay Lakhanpal, Zowie-Jade, Si Chun Lam

·       Laura McMillan, Director of Audience Strategy for Coventry UK City of Culture

·       Cllr David Welsh and Cllr Jim O’Boyle from Coventry City Council

·       Stuart Thomas, Head of Midlands at BBC

·       Gaby Wood, Literary Director of The Booker Prize Foundation

·       Lee Child, Author, 2020 Booker Prize Judge

·       Tania Mahmoud, Cities Programmes Lead at the British Council

·       Simon Vaughan, Director, Creative Giants

·       Heather Peak Morison and Ivan Morison, Co-Founders, Studio Morison

·       Sue Bent, Chief Executive, Central England Law Centre

·       Clare Wightman, CEO, Grapevine

·       Lorna Couper, Coventry Refugee and Migrant Centre

·       Susie Murphy, Senior Manager, Positive Youth Foundation

·       Corey Campbell and Balisha Karra, Co-Artistic Directors, Belgrade Theatre

·       Doreen Foster, Director, Warwick Arts Centre

·       Jen Davis, Associate Director, Royal Shakespeare Company

·       Dom Breadmore and Anne Forgan, Creative and Programme Director, Ludic Rooms

·       Mark and Sarah Worth, Company Directors, Highly Sprung

·       Ruark Jon-Stevens, Marketing and Communications Manager, Culture Coventry

 

Event format - The programme briefing will last for approximately 45 minutes – followed by a media Q&A session.

A media Q&A session will take place from 10.45am approx. and will last for 15 minutes. Journalists will be able to submit their questions via the chat system available during the broadcast (name and outlet will be required).

Interview opportunities - Media interested in one-to-one interview opportunities (via video or email) should get in touch with Four Communications to co-ordinate.