14/07/2006

Liverpool to be Party Capital in 07

A mammoth party featuring one of the world's biggest fireworks displays will be held to celebrate Liverpool's 800th anniversary next year.

The city today (July 14) unveiled a master plan to be the world party capital in 2007 and is looking to the internet to help fuel a global celebration.

An invitation is now open to anyone with a Liverpool connection to join in the festivities and log on to www.liverpool08.com to tell the world of their plans. They can also use a special 2007 logo, launched today and free to download from the 08 website, to publicise their event.

The centrepiece of the 800th anniversary is a four-day party extravaganza over August Bank Holiday, to mark the granting of Liverpool's first charter, by King John on August 28, in 1207.

The 800th birthday weekend will centre on six key events:
Street Parties - communities will be offered free party kits to re-create a jubilee atmosphere
The annual Mathew Street Music Festival (Fri-Mon, August 24-27) will focus on a retro/heritage theme and is set to attract 400,000 people 
800th birthday civic service at St Nicholas Parish Church 
The service will be followed by a Historical Pageant and Procession through the city centre to echo the 700th anniversary celebrations in 1907
All major public squares will host festivities on August 28 from 12noon to 3pm. 
The birthday finale: Europe's largest fireworks display, fired off several key buildings

Details of almost 300 events, involving dozens of cultural and historical organisations across Merseyside, to celebrate Liverpool's Year of Heritage were announced at the special 2007 curtain raiser in St George's Hall.  Celebrations will focus on achievements in public health, medicine and transport to the invention of Meccano and the rise of Beatlemania. 

World leaders are also being invited to send their birthday wishes to the city as it prepares for a year-long programme of concerts, conferences, exhibitions, fairs, festivals, flower shows, gala openings, processions, re-enactments, talks and walks. 

Today's 2007 showcase included the premiere of a new film featuring some of the earliest footage of the city and a rare public display of the King John 1207 Charter. It also provided a preview of the stunning Small Concert Room in St George's Hall, whose re-opening on St George's Day after a £23m makeover, will be a highlight of 2007. 

Another key theme of 2007 is the 200th anniversary of the Abolition of Slavery, with National Museums Liverpool opening a new £10m International Slavery Museum on August 23rd. 

The definitive 2007 programme will be announced in September, when the first official history of the city in almost a century - entitled Liverpool 800: Culture, Character and History - will also be published. 

To aid the celebrations the Liverpool Culture Company has put aside a £200,000 grants programme to help fund community projects that celebrate the Year of Heritage theme. Applications will be accepted from October.

Lib Dem Councillor Mike Storey, Executive Member for Special Initiatives, said: ''Liverpool's 800th birthday belongs to everyone who has a connection with the city - this is a party of the people, for the people, by the people.

''Few cities have been at the heart of so many epic events and achievements which have shaped the world and our Year of Heritage will be an unforgettable ride. Liverpool's rise from a small fishing village to one of the world's pre-eminent ports is an amazing story involving peoples and cultures from across the planet. We want as many people as possible to celebrate and showcase how their community shaped the city.''

Schools will also be getting in on the act with a day-long party across the city at the end of the school year with a commemorative souvenir being designed for pupils. Plans are also in place for a special series of Lord Mayor 800th anniversary parties throughout the year, with guests nominated by their community.