Artists were kept busy transforming the centre of Coventry ahead of its year as City of Culture 2021 - the year-long cultural programme that started yesterday.
With organisers having faced huge challenges – due to the Covid pandemic - hopes that events can help rejuvenate the arts sector remain the driving force as street art transformed the West Midlands city ahead of its year in spotlight.
While the year will embrace and celebrate its history, the focus of ‘Coventry Move’ will be on how the city sees itself moving forward with a celebration of dance, music, art and cultural activities to bring the city into the spotlight and show-off its importance of a leading city in the UK with a programme that will draw in all corners of the city and beyond.
Creative Director, Chenine Bhathena said: “The city is transforming around us and I think it will be really important to build pride for people here, and to be able to show off on a national stage, to help people understand the city as it is now.
“After Covid, the City of Culture is more important than ever. I think in a lot of cities around the UK where there’s a huge amount of history, people do look back a lot, and that’s great, but there’s also a need to understand and celebrate the role the city will play in the future of the world.”
A city where movement began - as all eyes are on the city, Coventry is looking forward to welcoming the world to share its culture.
