LIVERPOOL will host the UK’s flagship 2014 World War One (WW1) commemoration event – and it’s going to be big. Well, giant to be precise.
Minister for Sport and Tourism Helen Grant, who is coordinating the UK government’s commemorations of the centenary, has confirmed the city will stage 2014’s flagship cultural event, marking 100 years since the outbreak of the First World War. The event is commissioned jointly by Liverpool City Council and 14-18 NOW, the First World War Centenary Cultural Programme.
Memories of August 1914 will be brought to Liverpool by street theatre tour de force Royal De Luxe, who captivated crowds of 800,000 people in 2012 with the Giant spectacular Sea Odyssey, generating £32million for the local economy.
A warm welcome will be given to two familiar faces – the Little Girl Giant and her playful canine companion Xolo – who return to the city.
The event will take place from 23-27 July 2014 and will see the huge marionettes explore the city as part of a brand new moving and emotional story recollecting a time when Britain was preparing for war.
Helen Grant said: “2014 marks the centenary of the outbreak of a war which transformed not only this country, but the world forever.”
“There will be events taking place across the country throughout the four years of the anniversary, but Liverpool will without a doubt be home to one of the largest cultural commemorations.”
Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, said: “For Liverpool to host one of the biggest WW1 commemorative event in 2014 is a huge honour in itself. But to once again be working in partnership with Royal De Luxe, makes this extra special.”
Founder and Artistic Director of Royal De Luxe, Jean Luc Courcoult, said: “We are excited to return to Liverpool once again – last time we were given such a warm welcome by the people of Liverpool that all of us felt like we were part of the city’s family!
“Liverpool’s streets are the perfect stage for a show of this kind and we look forward to returning and sharing our World War One story which will hopefully touch all who witness it.”
The full story and route will be announced at a later date, but throughout the event the King’s Regiment and the Liverpool PALS will play a prominent role. There will be a focus on recruitment, and how Liverpool’s efforts impacted on the rest of the country.
The show will act as the finale for the 2014 International Festival for Business which will see more than one hundred events taking place in June and July with the aim of accelerating UK economic growth.
The full 14-18 NOW programme launch will take place in spring. In the meantime, the latest information can be found at www.1418now.org.uk.
Liverpool will also have a programme of events taking place to commemorate World War One, which will be organised by various organisations, businesses and community groups across the city. Details will be unveiled in the forthcoming months.
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