Crowds celebrate Bradford’s City of Culture year finale

Thousands of people attended the closing event of the year Bradford was named UK City of Culture.

The first of Brighter Still’s two shows previously took place in Bingley, where a “community cast” of hundreds of local people brought dance, poetry and songs to Myrtle Park.

Emily Lim, the show’s co-director, said those who attended were “incredibly proud of themselves and their city.”

Organizers said during his tenure Bradford hosted nearly 5,000 “big, bold and brilliant” events, including the Turner Prize, and visitor numbers in the city center increased by a quarter.

The closing event, which will end on Sunday, will take place on the two longest nights of the year, also known as the winter solstice, when all tickets are sold out.

Featuring more than 250 local artists, with 5,000 tickets sold for each show, the event was billed as one of the “largest community engagement events” on the schedule.

This included an ensemble cast of 90 Bradford residents, aged between eight and 76, who joined forces with dancers, musicians and choirs.

Organizers said that alongside movement and dance performances, the community cast played a role in co-creating and telling the show, “weaving a tapestry of stories that stem from the lived experiences of the people and communities of Bradford”.

Gavin Wood, one of those who attended, said attending the show was “very rewarding”.

“I am Bradford born and bred and I am incredibly proud of my roots,” he said.

“It’s a beautiful place to live, and I feel like the City of Culture helps change the narrative of the city to a more positive perspective.”

Shanaz Gulzar, creative director of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, described Brighter Still as “a dynamic reflection of Bradford, honoring our heritage, pointing to the present and looking to the future.”

He added: “We are rounding off this extraordinary year by putting local people at the heart of where they belong.”

The year-long City of Culture celebrations are estimated to cost around £51 million and attract an audience of three million.

The overall budget is created through fundraising, ticket sales and commercial activities, organizers said.

Major grants included £15 million from the government, £10 million from Bradford Council and £6 million from West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

Other highlights of the year included a stage production of The Railway Children in an engine shed, works by Bradford-born artist David Hockney recreated using drones and a celebration of local brass bands.

Darren Henley, chief executive of Arts Council England, said the year-long event showed “culture has the power to change people’s lives”.

“If you were born here in Bradford and you’re a young person, look at what you can do now,” he said.

“You can be born in West Yorkshire, you can come here, you can study here, you can do your job here, you can create things that go all over the world and that’s a really exciting thing.”

West Yorkshire mayor Tracey Brabin said the year’s legacy would be felt among young people.

“This is about giving confidence to young people,” he said.

“Tonight we heard young people on stage speaking in front of thousands of people.

“They may never be actors, but they will be better caregivers and entrepreneurs because they have the confidence and identity that they are a part of something so magical.”