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Opinion
C’mere ‘till I tell ya why Dublin is better than all the rest
Dublin wants to be the European City of Culture 2020. Why do you think it deserves it?
Each year since 1985, the European Union designates one or more cities as a European Capital of Culture. Croatia and Ireland will host the event in 2020, and have launched their respective competitions. Galway, Dublin, Limerick and the South East are all competing for the title.
We asked each candidate to tell us about the city and what makes it great.
Are you from Dublin? Get involved and tell us what you love about your city. Are you better than the other contenders? Tell us why.
DUBLIN2020 is DUBLIN’S bid to be European Capital of Culture in 2020. Here are some reasons why Ireland’s capital should win:
1. Dublin is a divided city
Everyone knows about the north and southside divide, but there is as cultural divide east to west, with ‘invisible’ villages missing out on the great culture that exists in the centre. If Dublin wins we could tackle and break that divide – allowing the villages of Dublin to experience culture and events as much as the city centre.
2. Dublin culture is as much about rap as it is about opera
Everyone knows there is loads to do in this city, but we want to change how culture is viewed and look at the impact of Dublin’s culture throughout Europe. Culture is often aligned with the arts, such as opera or theatre.
We want to challenge this and show that it is as much about listening music on your commute or a rapper in Finglas or getting involved in a free event in your local community centre.
3. Let’s be honest, we have huge artistic talent here
You just have to glance around this city to see the artistic talent – from the concerts and gigs on every night of the week to the buskers on Grafton Street.
Last week, a lot of this talent was featured in our Dublin You Are video, which went viral and has been watched in 45 different countries. It says it all, really.
4. Dublin is great, but it has its problems
We are the capital city of this country, so while we may appear to have everything here already, but the city is in real need of help. Let’s not gloss over that homelessness, drug use and mental health problems are key issues in which citizens want to see tackled in Dublin2020 cultural programming.
5. We got hit hard with the recession, but we’re clawing back
Dublin is still in recovering from the recession, businesses are setting up shop, more people are in work, but we need to rebuild communities.
The older generations in our workshops spoke to us about how they all used to know each other in their neighbourhoods and now feel they are surrounded by strangers. We want to change this by working cultural programmes into communities at grass roots level, engendering stronger bonds and support.
6. Up the Dubs!
Having beaten everyone else at the football we feel we can beat everyone at this too. Dublin is full of civic pride. We want the chance to channel this on a European scale.
Get involved and tell us why you love Dublin. What are your favourite parts of the city and are there any hidden gems you know of?
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