Bradford’s tenure as the UK City of Culture 2025 is already brimming with a diverse array of events, showcasing the city’s vibrant arts scene and rich cultural heritage. From spectacular theatrical performances to thought-provoking exhibitions and community-led projects, the programme offers something for everyone.
A Look Back at the Year So Far
The year commenced with RISE, a magical theatrical extravaganza held in City Park over two wintry evenings. This captivating event combined street poetry, aerial artistry, colourful light projections, and performances by an orchestra and choir, setting the stage for a year filled with cultural experiences.
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January:
- The National Science & Media Museum reopened its doors, featuring the “David Hockney: Pieced Together” exhibition.
- Cartwright Hall presented “Fighting to Be Heard,” showcasing selections from the British Library’s Arabic and Urdu collections.
- DRAW! was launched, inviting individuals to create drawings inspired by a specific theme, beginning with David Hockney’s invitation to “draw something beautiful.”
- The “I Am Me” exhibition at Cartwright Hall displayed artworks chosen by 125 young people.
- A partnership between Bradford 2025 and Penguin Books resulted in the distribution of 4,300 books to 43 secondary schools.
- The Asian Dub Foundation performed their soundtrack to the French thriller “La Haine” at St George’s Hall.
February:
- The Ramadan Pavilion, “Infinite Light,” designed by Fatima Mejbil and Zarah Hussain, was unveiled in Centenary Square, illuminating the night.
- A dreamlike installation called GRUE was showcased at Damart Mill in Bingley.
- Plans were announced for over 30 projects as part of the Creative Health programme, aimed at addressing loneliness and mental health challenges through social prescribing.
March:
- Loading Bay, Bradford 2025’s new arts centre, opened on Duke Street, attracting over 8,000 visitors in its first three weeks.
- The inaugural exhibition at Loading Bay was based on the TV show “Extraordinary Portraits” with Bill Bailey, featuring an appearance by the comedian alongside former Liverpool and England goalkeeper David James, now an artist.
- Staged readings of Andrea Dunbar’s work took place in “Andrea Dunbar: The Dreams I Had,” celebrating the writer’s legacy.
- “Faces of Bradford” was exhibited at Ilkley’s Manor House.
April:
- “The Tower of Now,” a 15-metre sculpture by Bradford artist Saad Qureshi, was installed on Hall Ings, drawing inspiration from various architectural and religious elements to represent the city’s diverse identity.
- The Beacon, Bradford 2025’s touring venue, commenced its travels around Bradford South and East, hosting drop-in arts and crafts sessions, live music performances, pop-up dance performances, and poetry workshops.
- The announcement was made that the prestigious Turner Prize would be coming to Bradford.
May:
- The moors that inspired Emily Brontë’s “Wuthering Heights” were transformed by sculptures from contemporary artists Steve Messam, Vanessa da Silva, Meherunnisa Asad with Studio Lél, and Monira Al Qadiri, in “Wild Uplands.”
- “Rose Illingworth: Born to the Boats,” a new theatre piece, floated along the Leeds-Liverpool canal.
- “The Brontës by Anita Rani: Sisters of Disruption” was presented at Pictureville.
- A one-night spectacular saw “Bassline Symphony” perform at St George’s Hall, featuring Jamie Duggan, DJ Q, TS7, Katie Chatburn, and the Orchestra of Opera North.
- The RedBall Project, a long-running street artwork by US artist Kurt Perschke, arrived in Bradford.
June:
- Victor Wedderburn’s photographs, capturing African-Caribbean life in the city during the 1980s, are being displayed at the National Science and Media Museum.
- Plans were revealed to celebrate Bradford’s status as a UNESCO City of Film with open-air screenings at Ilkley Lido and Thornton Viaduct in August.
- “Ice Age Art Now” (June 21 to September 14) brought ancient artefacts to Cliffe Castle Museum.
- The New Music Biennial is scheduled to come to Bradford in 2025, hosting a free three-day festival celebrating music across genres, at venues across the city centre from June 6 to 8.
- Bradford’s alternative music scene was highlighted at the new Bradford Live venue.
July:
- “Tu i Tam / Tyt i Tam” at Loading Bay explored Polish and Ukrainian migration into Bradford through archival materials and photography.
- “The Railway Children” is being performed by steam train at Oxenhope station.
- “A Good Yarn,” a project by Luke Jerram and Bloomin’ Buds, weaved community memories of the region’s textile heritage into a giant ball of yarn.
- The Bradford Selection, a limited-edition tin of biscuits inspired by Bradford’s flavours and stories, was unveiled by Edible Archives.
August:
- Centenary Square was filled with colourful foam in “Island of Foam: Version #40” by Stephanie Lüning.
- A mural celebrating Bradford’s culture, “Serving the District,” was unveiled at the Morrisons store in Idle, created through the BD:Walls Talent Development Programme.
Looking ahead, “RIDE!,” a show about a Gypsy family living near Bradford, is scheduled to take place soon. The Bradford City of Culture 2025 is continuing to deliver a remarkable programme, showcasing the city’s creativity and community spirit.