Derry and Hull to team up for City of Culture event

Derry is set to hold a 'collaborative event' with Hull as part of its UK City of Culture celebrations, it can be revealed today.

Derry officially ceased to be City of Culture on New Year’s Day, when Hull took on the title.

It has also emerged that a long-awaited report into the legacy of the Derry celebrations will be made public later this year.

A spokesperson for Derry City and Strabane District Council said: “It is expected that the 2013 City of Culture report will be presented to members within the next few months.”

The council spokesperson added: “Representatives from Hull 2017 City of Culture team have been in contact with Council to discuss its experiences of hosting the inaugural UK City of Culture.

“Discussions are also ongoing regarding a collaborative event for later in the year.”

Hull kicked off its City of Culture year celebrations with a firework display and art installation projected onto its landmark buildings.

It is not yet known what form the joint event will take, or if it will be held in Derry, Hull or across both cities.

Derry became in inaugural UK City of Culture in 2013 and hosted hundreds of shows, exhibitions and concerts, including the Turner Prize, BBC’s One Big Weekend and the All Ireland Fleadh.

The Hull team visited the city last year for advice on hosting the year long event.

Representatives of Leicester, Hull, Swansea Bay and Dundee also travelled to Derry in 2013 to hand in their submissions to be the 2017 title holders.

The Derry year of culture faced criticism that it did not bring enough jobs or tourists to the city.

There were also public clashes between Derry City Council and the Culture Company, which was set up to run the events programme.