Stirling’s cultural ambitions are alive and well despite narrowly missing the final four of the UK City of Culture 2025 shortlist.
That was the message from Stirling Council and district cultural organisations this week following last weekend’s announcement from the Department of Culture Media and Sport.
Stirling had made it through to a longlist of nine candidates from an initial field of 20 in its bid for the accolade.
Bradford, County Durham, Southampton and Wrexham County Borough will now go head-to-head for the title with the winner set to be announced in May.
City arts and cultural partnership Scene Stirling manager Kevin Harrison said: “We’ve been on an incredible journey these past few months and it doesn’t end here.
“We’re committed as ever to working together to realise Stirling’s arts and cultural ambitions and now we have the road map to get us there.”
Stirling Council chief executive Carol Beattie said the partnership work during the bid for the coveted title will help to unleash the district’s cultural potential.
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She also pointed to the programme of events to mark the 20th anniversary of Stirling’s city status, and the 20-year anniversary of the opening of the historic Tolbooth venue – as well as the special summer show at Stirling City Park featuring Scottish band Texas and the district hosting the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships time trial venue next year.
Ms Beattie commented: “The people of Stirling should still be extremely proud of what they have achieved and I would like to thank everyone who has worked so hard to get us here.
“The backing we received from across Stirling and indeed the whole of Scotland has been overwhelming.
“Sharing our stories of how people in Stirling are changing lives through the power of culture has been inspirational.
“The competition has also restored a sense of civic pride and optimism after the challenges of the pandemic.
“We have built strong partnerships across our communities that will help us unleash Stirling’s distinctive and inclusive cultural potential.
“We are working together and are more determined than ever to deliver on our cultural ambitions for the people of Stirling.”
Chief executive of City of Culture partner Sistema Scotland Nicola Killean OBE said the bid process had been a great opportunity to promote all that Stirling has to offer and think ambitiously about what it might achieve in the future.
She commented: “The City of Culture bid brought together many partners across Stirling and beyond to dream big about what we can do together. We will very much be looking forward to continuing that work to ensure we maximise the energy and vision this galvanised for the benefit of children, young people and communities.”
High profile names such as actor Simone Lahbib and Dame Evelyn Glennie backed Stirling’s bid in recent weeks, while more than 1000 businesses, organisations and individuals pledged their support, along with Scotland’s leading arts, tourism, heritage and business organisations.
Stirling’s City of Culture bid was led by Stirling Cultural Board in conjunction with Scene Stirling, a place partnership involving Stirling’s arts, education, heritage and cultural organisations (Artlink Central, Macrobert, The Engine Shed, Creative Stirling, Stirling University, Big Noise, Stirling Smith, Forth Valley College Creative Industries, Go Forth – Business Improvement District and Stirling Council).
Arts Minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay said: “With a record 20 initial applications, this year we saw more interest in the UK City of Culture competition than ever before.
“I’m grateful to Stirling for all the hard work and commitment that went into its bid and I have no doubt that the city’s participation in the competition will have an impact that’s felt for years to come.”
For more information go to: www.Stirling2025.com
