Latest news with #RhiannonHannon
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bradford gains special Cultural City of Sanctuary designation
Bradford has been named the first-ever Cultural City of Sanctuary. The special title, delivered by the Bradford Culture Company, is intended to reflect the role that people seeking sanctuary - refugees and asylum seekers, as well as people seeking other forms of protection - play in Bradford's culture. The accolade was announced at an event with Bradford Friendship Choir, many of whose singers are refugees and sanctuary seekers from countries in the Middle East, Africa, and elsewhere. The choir was a key part of the Bradford 2025 opening event, RISE, in January. Bradford 2025 has also announced a formal partnership with Stand & Be Counted, billed as the UK's first Theatre Company of Sanctuary. Planned initiatives include creation of routes into volunteering; distribution of tickets; weekly creative sessions for people seeking sanctuary; developing "creative engagement activity to work alongside Basel Zaraa's artwork inspired by The Moomins and the Great Flood"; and working with Displace Yourself Theatre on providing trauma-informed practice training for team members. Rhiannon Hannon, director of creative engagement at Bradford 2025, said: "Our ambition for the City of Culture is not just to celebrate Bradford's creativity but also to ensure that people seeking sanctuary have equal access to the programme's opportunities, and this designation highlights that. "Furthermore, we are pleased to partner with Stand & Be Counted, who bring expertise in working with people seeking sanctuary and can guide us in making sure the year's programme and activities are a truly inclusive celebration of our district." Rosie MacPherson, artistic director and joint CEO of Stand & Be Counted, added: "We're so thrilled that Bradford will be the first Cultural City of Sanctuary. "It's an important moment to stand with people seeking sanctuary, and it's a great symbol of positivity and welcome. "Stand & Be Counted have been working in Bradford for many years, and we know this milestone and work across lots of incredible organisations will have a huge impact on people seeking sanctuary being seen, supported, and involved in all of the incredible productions and programmes in Bradford across 2025 and beyond." With the announcement of Bradford's status as Cultural City of Sanctuary, Bradford 2025 has released a film which contains testimonials from groups including Bradford Friendship Choir, HALE (Health Action Local Engagement), and The Peace Museum; it is the first of a planned series of films spotlighting distinct aspects of Bradford culture and identity, to be released throughout the year.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
"Immersive installation" GRUE opens in Bingley for Bradford 2025
A dream-like installation in Bingley has opened to the public, as part of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture. The installation, named GRUE, is situated at Damart Mill and opened on February 8 and 9. GRUE will present a series of sessions especially for local schools, home educators, and community groups from February 11 to 14 before reopening to the public for February half term from February 15 to 23. Commissioned by Bradford 2025, GRUE, a "magical immersive installation" by Wintercroft and ARCADE, is described as "perfect" for families with pre-school and primary school children. Complete with live performers and inspired by Bingley's heritage, audiences will explore various fantastical landscapes in the Mill's basement. The scenery has been created by the people of Bradford, in workshops including drop-in sessions in libraries, and is entirely made from sustainable and repurposed materials such as paper and cardboard. Community members have contributed to the creation of items that feature in the installation, including birds, fish, houses, flowers, grasses, and faces (Image: Supplied) Hundreds of community members have contributed to the creation of more than 1,000 items featured in GRUE, including birds, fish, houses, and flowers. Local schools have also played a part in building the magical world of GRUE, and will enjoy class trips to the installation in the week before half term. GRUE marks the first event in Bradford 2025's year-long PLAY programme, a series of events and playful interventions set to occur throughout the year. Rhiannon Hannon, director of creative engagement and participation at Bradford 2025, said: "GRUE is the first of many events we're working on as part of our year-long PLAY programme, which aims to involve children and young people in our UK City of Culture year and encourage them to play. "Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture is building on an extraordinary history of play in the Bradford District by developing a programme that celebrates the universality of play as a tool to learn about ourselves, other people, and the world around us." Rach Drew, co-artistic director and CEO of ARCADE, added: "GRUE is an amazing experience that we've found people really respond to at a deep level; they are inspired to get creative and it captures imaginations." Jeanette Howard-Jones, co-managing director of Damart UK, said: "It is an honour for Damart to be at the heart of GRUE and we are excited for new generations to learn more about our local heritage." Wintercroft, founded by Scarborough-based designer and visual artist Steve Wintercroft, designed GRUE. The installation was produced by Bridlington- and Scarborough-based ARCADE. For more information on Bradford 2025's PLAY Programme, please visit
