More than 11,000 people crammed into Bradford’s City Park last Friday, on a frigidly cold January night. Hats were on, coffees were in hand and fingers were crossed as Bradfordians waited to see the year-long city of culture celebrations kick off with Rise, a fusion of music, magic, poetry and performance.
Banners announcing “This is our time” hung around the city centre, but there were also constructions sites, messy reminders of a huge pedestrianisation project that is yet to be completed. And the nearby Odeon cinema still hasn’t been transformed into the promised Bradford Live music venue. Both were supposed to be ready in time for Bradford 2025’s launch. Nervous guides told journalists to watch their footing on the icy pavements; nobody wanted a misstep. Not now.
