Hull to undergo a ‘cultural renaissance’

January will see Hull become the UK’s City of Culture for 2017, with officials describing the title as the ‘beginning of a cultural renaissance’.

Following a successful bid, that also included Leicester, Dundee and Swansea Bay, it is hoped that the events to celebrate the title will ‘improve the lives and opportunities of everyone who lives, works, visits and invests here [Hull]’.

The first event of the year will be an installation across the city, telling the story of the last 70 years of Hull, accompanied by a fireworks display to ‘rival London's New Year's Eve celebrations’.

The programme, which is costing £32 million, will also include a ‘musical Humber Bridge’ and an art work featuring thousands of naked, painted people on the streets of Hull.

Stephen Brady, Hull Council Leader, said: “It will give Hull a platform to tell the world what this great city has to offer, transform perceptions and accelerate our journey to make Hull a prime visitor destination.”

Hull 2017 director Martin Green said: "The spirit, the stories and the talent of this city have inspired this national year of celebration. From its artists to its residents through to the city's incredible heritage, Hull will share with the rest of the world what people from here have known all along - this city has contributed significantly to ideas that have changed and enriched the world."