Croydon has revealed a bold and diverse line-up for its year of celebrations as the London Borough of Culture 2023, opening on 1 April.
The event promises a programme starring grassroots talent, unsung cultural heroes, young people and disability-led productions.
The cultural showcase hopes to enable positive change and inspire people from all backgrounds to participate in the rich and inclusive programme of events.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “This is Croydon will be a spectacular celebration of the borough’s unique identity, heritage and character, bringing together communities and giving grassroots creativity the chance to shine.
“It will be a fantastic example of how culture can inspire and unleash the potential of the next generation as we build a better London for everyone.”
The London Borough of Culture programme is a flagship cultural policy of the Mayor of London and is further funded by Arts Council England and National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The line up features big names including Grammy nominated Tarik O’Regan, Ukraine National Symphony Orchestra, Poet Laureate Shaniqua Benjamin, and many more.
This is Croydon will also mark the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop and will celebrate the rich history of music-making in the borough, which has bred the likes of grime legend Stormzy and Mercury Prize Album of the Year nominee Loyle Carner.
The year will feature an array of large-scale festivals including Croydon Pride, Croydon Mela and the London Road Festival.
Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon, said: “This is Croydon is unique in that it is truly community-led, developed by our amazing local cultural organisations working in partnership with the council, creating opportunities for residents of all ages, from our borough and beyond.”
A new climate musical, ‘Why on Earth’, devised by students of The BRIT School, will be touring schools across the borough designed to inspire young people in the fight for climate justice.
Also featuring will be Liberty Festival, bringing a deaf and disabled artist-led programme of art and performance, interactive installations and workshops for all.
Being delivered through a unique collaboration between the cultural organisations and people of the borough in partnership with Croydon Council, This is Croydon promises to offer displays of diverse art forms to which every Londoner is invited.
Caterina Loriggio, Creative Consultant, Croydon London Borough of Culture, said: “We hope the year of culture will not just inspire, excite, and engage, but also enable change.
Croydon has always had our eye on the future and the London Borough of Culture is just the start of the next leg of that journey.”
Featured image credit: Tadie88 via CC BY-SA 2.0
