SIMPLY THE BEST: DERRY WINS CITY OF CULTURE
Derry is buzzing this evening after being crowned UK City of Culture 2013.
The announcement was broadcast live from Liverpool on the BBC’s The One Show at around 7.30pm.
Derry beat off competition from Birmingham, Sheffield and Norwich which were also shortlisted.
A large crowd gathered in the Guildhall to hear the result relayed on big screens.
The title could see a number of prestigious events such as the Brit Awards and the Turner Prize hosted in Derry.
NI’s Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, who travelled to Liverpool for the announcement, said: “I’m very proud to come from Derry.”
“It’s also Gregory Campbell’s city, it’s John Hume’s city. It’s a city synonymous with Seamus Heaney and Brian Friel, synonymous with Nadine Coyle and Bronagh Gallagher, Roma Downey, Phil Coulter, the Undertones and many, many more.”
The Mayor of Derry, Councillor Colum Eastwood, who was also in Liverpool for the live announcement, also expressed his delight at the news.
