Limerick has launched its campaign to become European Capital of Culture 2020

Limerick 2020 unveiled its identity today (Tuesday) as part of the bid process to gain the prestigious designation. Its website (www.limerick2020.ie) and identity, designed by the team at Piquant Media, includes a campaigning video which was launched with the help of BlindBoy BoatClub from international hiphop comedy duo The Rubberbandits at an event in Culture House, Pery Square, Limerick.

Speaking at the launch, Limerick 2020 Bid Director Mike Fitzpatrick urged the people of Limerick to get behind the bid.

26/05/2015 
Limerick City Gallery of Art hosted a live installation today as Blindly BoatClub from the RubberBandits was on hand to call on the people of Limerick to get behind the Limerick 2020 Bid, admiring the the live installation were, John and Roisin Hayes, Ennis Road Limerick. Picture: Alan Place/FusionShooters.

“Everyone in Limerick knows what culture means to our city after our fantastic year as National City of Culture 2014 and we want to build on this as Limerick continues to have a great story to tell,” he said. “We’ve established a fantastic network in the city of cultural practitioners and artist-led organisations with an appetite and a new confidence after 2014 – but we need the people of Limerick’s help. We want the entire community to get involved, support us and make it happen. This summer our Bid team will be asking the broader Limerick community to engage with us and to discuss how we can collectively become European Capital of Culture and we will listen to your vision for 2020. The competition to be designated European Capital of Culture is definitely challenging, but we feel that if we all join forces, then Limerick has a fair and fighting chance.”
In partnership with community groups and cultural practitioners, the Limerick 2020 team will develop and coordinate a series of small-scale cultural events, interventions and discussion to inform the set of values and priorities that will underpin Limerick’s bid.
These activities will take place across Limerick city and county and will be free and open to anyone who wants to participate. 

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There are four ways you can get involved. 
1. Tell us your idea – online at www.limerick2020.ie
2. Work with us to create an event in your community
3. Take part – we want to hear from you!
4. Spread the word – use our logo, join the conversation on Twitter #Limerick2020 and Facebook, Instagram and YouTube
The 2020 designation for European Capital of Culture will be given to both Ireland and Croatia and is one of the most prestigious and visible European cultural awards in the EU.
The process is competitive; bidding cities must demonstrate that they can provide a unique and promising programme of cultural and artistic events and activities and show how the opportunity forms part of the ambition of the city, with culture at the centre of the project.

Limerick City and County Council Chief Executive, Conn Murray, said Limerick is on a path of change and regeneration and the designation of European Capital of Culture 2020 represents a very tangible and desirable goal to help bring about this transformation.
“The bid process is all about widening access and participation in culture, strengthening the capacity of our cultural sector and raising our European and international profile as a result,” he explained.
Limerick City and County Council Arts Officer, Sheila Deegan added; “Essentially it’s about re-imagining Limerick. The culture of a city does not have a beginning or an end. It is a continuous elaboration, retrenchment, expansion and consolidation. Limerick and its people are on a pathway of change, development, regeneration and engagement and we’re all excited about the future journey ahead.”

Limerick has a bid team in place to prepare and submit a bid book as part of a two stage process. The first bid book will be submitted to the Department of Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht in October 2015 and a short-list will be prepared, from which the winner will be selected in mid 2016.

For full information on Limerick’s bid to become European Capital of Culture 2020, to download the logo, register your idea, join our mailing list or just get involved in the adventure, please visit www.limerick2020.ie

For more information, check out Limerick 2020’s Facebook here
Check out Limerick2020’s Twitter here
Check out Limerick2020’s Instagram here
Check out Limerick2020’s Youtube here
Read more about Limerick2020 here