Bradford’s celebration as UK City of Culture for 2025 kicked off with a captivating extravaganza, featuring local illusionist Steven Frayne – aka Dynamo – who shared his immense pride in hailing from the city.
In the midst of freezing temperatures, crowds flocked to the City Park where they witnessed a bespoke performance marking the commencement of a year dedicated to art and creativity that incorporated over 200 artists. The ‘RISE’ occasion was brought to life by the innovative minds of Frayne, formerly known as Dynamo, and director Kirsty Housley.
Addressing the assembly, the television magician recounted his beginnings in street magic right at that location. He told the onlookers: “All of my random ideas started right here in Bradford.”
“If I can do what I have done, we can do anything. This year is going to be amazing.”
Further expressing his sentiment, Frayne revealed: “Let’s enjoy this moment. I am so proud to be from Bradford. Everywhere I go I tell everybody about it and I am never losing this Yorkshire accent.”
Bradford is the fourth city to hold the prestigious title, following the footsteps of Derry-Londonderry in 2013, Hull in 2017, and Coventry in 2021. The selection was made in May 2022 from among twenty contenders.
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The RISE event mesmerised spectators with a symphony of music and illuminations spreading across dual stages that showcased DJs, rappers, aerial acts, and acrobats, alongside a community chorus and the Airedale Symphony Orchestra from an elevated vantage point. Shanaz Gulzar, the creative lead for Bradford 2025, relayed to PA news agency her enthusiasm for the opening spectacle, which she described as filled with “magic, mysticism and mayhem.”
“I’m really excited,” she expressed. “I’m super proud. I really can’t wait for people to come and be a part of it.”
When asked about the significance of Bradford 2025, Ms Gulzar responded: “It’s huge for the city.”
“Bradford’s a northern mill city and like every other northern mill city, it’s had to find its new identity. It brings attention, it brings investment, it brings opportunity and … it’s our time.”
Darren Henley, the chief executive of Arts Council England, commented: “It may be cold outside but this is the hottest place to be when it comes to arts and culture. ” “Bradford has got everything going for it. It’s going to be an amazing year of creativity, artistic events and brilliance that we’ve got coming up. It’s so exciting.”
Mr Henley added: “There’s a big focus on Bradford during this year.”
“It’s national focus and it’s an international focus.”
“For the people who live here and work here and study here, it changes the story they tell about their place. But, also, the story that those of us that come and visit that place tell about that place.”
“It’s all about stories. It’s all about possibility and it’s all about creativity.”
(Image: PA Archive/PA Images)
The Bradford 2024 programme commences with a variety of events in January, including two major exhibitions opening in the city.
The exhibition, Nationhood: Memory and Hope, showcases new pieces by renowned Ethiopian artist Aida Muluneh. In addition, Fighting to be Heard delves into the intriguing links between the ancient art of calligraphy and boxing, featuring rare items from the Arabic and Urdu collections of the British Library.
This month also marks the launch of DRAW!, a nationwide drawing project inspired and backed by Bradford-born artist David Hockney. Following a significant £6 million refurbishment, the National Science and Media Museum is set to reopen in January, presenting David Hockney: Pieced Together, an exploration of the artist’s innovative use of film and photography.