Cornwall seeks Capital of Culture crown
MOMENTUM is gathering in Cornwall's bid to become European Region of Culture.
Campaigners are hoping to persuade EU chiefs to recognise Regions of Culture in the same way as urban areas under the Capital of Culture programme.
Supporters are now calling on 50 other regions across the EU to get behind the move to celebrate the regional cultural "gems".
Capital of Culture schemes, it is argued, bring economic benefits while raising the profile – it is hoped a similar scheme would do the same for Europe's regions.
Last year, Liverpool held the Capital of Culture crown.
Those behind the Cornish bid believe that the county's cultural offerings rival those of any city.
Campaigners say the scheme has received substantial cross-party backing from many influential EU members states.
However, in order for the programme to be credible, additional pledges of formal support from other EU regions is essential.
Campaign director Miranda Bird said: "A large number of local and regional politicians from across the EU are on board.
"But its vital that we get these formal pledges of support from other individual regions. Changing or creating new EU policy is no easy task but we are optimistic that it can be done if we get the right amount of backing.
"It's time that rural regions like Cornwall are brought into the limelight and given their chance to shine."
Cornwall has already joined forces with the Polish region of Kujawsko-Pomorskie and the Finnish region of South Ostrobothnia.
As a result, the campaign has been gathering pace throughout the year, most notably with the staging of three conferences in each of the partner regions.
Poland held the first conference in Torun in May and the Finnish leg is due to be held next week.
Cornwall will host the final conference in November.
The campaign has also received interest and support from more than 20 other regions of Europe including the south-west of Ireland, Vidin in Bulgaria, South Denmark, Calabria in Italy, Tallinn in Estonia and Thrace in Greece.
Carolyn Rule, Cornwall Council's cabinet member for economy and regeneration, said: "Given the obvious obstacles of things like the language barrier and the fact that this is something which hasn't been done before, we've achieved an awful lot in a short space of time.
"The challenge now is to ensure the momentum is kept up and that the EU regions that could potentially be brought on board are given every opportunity to do so."
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by Thomas Daw, St austell
Monday, August 10 2009, 10:58AM
“Hello. My comment is related to the 'fight club' style article in last weeks' Cornish guardian st Austell. I am a qualified instructor in snake fist karate, and would like to have help in getting a club started so I can give something back to the community .Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am a multiple black belt holder and I need help from anyone with the business skills/ experience.”
by Denzil Pemberthy, Kernow
Tuesday, August 04 2009, 8:28PM
“Mr Elliott, that's the quickest climb down I have ever seen! Perhaps you should abandon UKIP and join MK.”
by Derek Elliott, Hayle
Tuesday, August 04 2009, 3:50PM
“Hi Ted, If a good idea comes along I'll always praise its owner. I'm not anti-european and never have been. In fact I have employed Polish, Lithuanians, French and Czech republics all in the last 24 months and found them to be excellent workers and really nice people. What I am afraid of and totally against is the EU propoganda misinforming the public and the gradual movement towards 'regionalisation of europe'. To take Mike's point for a minute UKIP had many overseas born candidates standing for them in the recent elections from which one is actually proud to represent us in Brussels. What we are really concerned with is programmes like this aimed at educating/brainwashing people into only seeing the good sides of the EU and not the whole picture. My beliefs are that Cornwall can and should decide at a local level how to best use any funds that are to assist it in the future.”
by Onan Hag All, Kernow
Tuesday, August 04 2009, 9:25AM
“Would this be a celebration of traditional Cornish culture, or just more mass imported culture from the English imperial state?
If it is to be a celebration of Cornish music, foods, arts and dance, then bring it on.
Lets hope it doesn't bring too many of the invaders from over the border to buy up our houses though, as this would be counter productive. What we need is a celebration of all things Cornish for us and by us and our Celtic brothers and sisters.”
by Ted, West Cornwall
Monday, August 03 2009, 5:27PM
“Derek Elliott, are you in favour or was your comment meant to be ironic because using expressions such as 'blown away with excitement' can be taken both ways. I'll assume that because the idea came from the EU you are aytomatically against it but look forward to hearing your partiy's alternative proposals to raise Cornwall's profile.”
by Vincent Smith, Pendeen
Monday, August 03 2009, 4:39PM
“What is culture?”
by Mike, Cornwall (next to England)
Monday, August 03 2009, 3:47PM
“Ah Derek Elliott - The UKIP and their sniggering 'anti-anyone who isn't English' policies.”
by fellini nights, Penarworthal
Monday, August 03 2009, 3:10PM
“Glasgow had it and Liverpool dont see why Cornwall shouldnt have it - plenty of painters and artists sculptors etc down here, why not ?! Brings a lot of money in to the area (did in Liverpool apparently)”
by CornishSeagull, Truro
Monday, August 03 2009, 2:53PM
“The last time I saw real culture in Cornwall was at the yoghurt counter at Tesco's!”
by Dydh Dad, Penzance
Monday, August 03 2009, 1:02PM
“What cultural 'gems' will these be then? The Extreme Academy, 15, Smit's snot bubbles and Padstein?”