A “magical outdoor spectacle” and the reopening of the National Science and Media Museum will signal the start of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture.
RISE, created by Steven Frayne (formerly known as Dynamo), will kick things off with an outdoor theatrical event in City Park and Centenary Square.
The area will be taken over by DJs, food trucks and entertainers ahead of the show. Directed by Kirsty Housley, it will feature aerial performers, acrobatics and magic, and will have local people, voices and stories at its heart.
A 200 strong cast includes poets and rappers, a community choir led by the Friendship Choir, the Airedale Symphony Orchestra, and a multi-generational community ensemble of Bradford residents aged from 12 to 65.
“All eyes will be on Bradford as we mark the start of 2025 UK City of Culture. Our ambitious opening event will bring the district together reflecting Bradford’s youthfulness, diversity and heritage, lighting the creative spark that will fuel this incredible year and forge unforgettable memories,” said Shanaz Gulzar, Creative Director of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture.
“We’ll introduce audiences to our rural landscapes, pay tribute to our local heroes, and platform the astonishing talent emerging from our radical city. Our time is now – and it starts with RISE.”
This month 2 major exhibitions open in Bradford – Nationhood: Memory and Hope with new work by acclaimed Ethiopian artist Aïda Muluneh; and Fighting to be Heard at Cartwright Hall Art Gallery exploring connections between the ancient art of calligraphy and boxing, alongside rare items from the Arabic and Urdu collections of the British Library.
Another taking place in January is DRAW! a nationwide drawing project inspired and supported by Bradford-born artist David Hockney in which members of the public are invited to take part.
Hockney is part of the reopening of the National Science and Media Museum, following its £6m development. It will present David Hockney: Pieced Together (15 January – 18 May 2025) exploring the artist’s pioneering use of film and photography.
The internationally acclaimed Akram Khan Company will perform in Bradford for the first time, with performances of Jungle Book reimagined at the Alhambra Theatre.
Elsewhere there will be a celebration of cinema through the programme in Northern Soul, a season of films from working-class northern women presented at Pictureville Cinema and curated by award-winning West Yorkshire raised writer director Clio Barnard.
When it comes to music, Asian Dub Foundation return to Bradford to reprise one of their most acclaimed projects, their soundtrack to cult classic French thriller La Haine, performed live to a screening of the film on 15 January.
“Our communities can and should be empowered to come together, tell their story and create change in their local area,” said Lisa Nandy, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.
“That is what the UK City of Culture competition is all about. So much enthusiasm and hard work has gone into organising Bradford’s year. There is a real buzz in the city as people get ready to showcase their talents. I would encourage everyone to go and see some of the fantastic events in the new year.”
Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture is supported using public investment from the Government, City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council, West Yorkshire Combined Authority and through National Lottery funding from Arts Council England, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, National Lottery Community Fund, British Council, Spirit of 2012, as well as private investment and donations from a number of trusts, foundations and corporate sponsors.
