Villiers brands Culture year as ‘great showcase’
Northern Ireland Secretary of State Theresa Villiers who visited Ebrington Square on Saturday, which will be one of the key venues during the 2013 City of Culture, pictured with Martin Bradley, Chair of the Cultrure Company and Mark Durkan MP. Picture Martin McKeown. Inpresspics.com. 5.1.12
Secretary of State Theresa Villiers has said Derry’s City of Culture year can be a “great boost” for all of Northern Ireland.
During a visit to the city on Saturday, the Conservative MP said she would give the inaugural City of Culture her full support in 2013.
During her visit, the Secretary of State enjoyed a tour of several cultural hotspots in the city including the Void Gallery, one of the main venues for the programme’s key events. She met with Rita Duffy, who is widely considered as one of Northern Ireland’s foremost artists.
She also took a tour of Ebrington Square and The Venue - the recently completed temporary entertainment complex, which will showcase the prestigious Turner Prize later this year and host other key events throughout 2013.
Speaking during her visit Ms Villiers said: “City of Culture will be a great showcase not only for the city, but for Northern Ireland and the whole of the UK. I hope that the many wonderful events planned for this year will deliver a lasting legacy, both culturally and economically.”
She added: “It has the potential to provide a real boost to the city through increased tourism, jobs and regeneration and most importantly through relationships, by bringing people together and building on the huge progress that has been made in Northern Ireland and throughout these islands over the past two decades.”
Foyle MP Mark Durkan, who accompanied Ms Villiers on her tour of the city, said: “I am glad to welcome the Secretary of State’s interest in the City of Culture and the support she has given to all involved in the year ahead.”
He added that he is looking forward to a year of big events for the city and that he was very impressed by The Venue when he attended the Mayor’s Tea Dance, the first event to be held there.
“I was very impressed with the new Tardis-like venue which looks much bigger in the inside than outside.
“I was also delighted to meet the people who attended the tea dance from throughout the city who were clearly enjoying the music, the dancing and the craic.
“It was a huge success.”
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Weather for Derry
Monday 20 May 2013
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Temperature: 9 C to 13 C
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