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Tall Ships: It’s Belfast’s moment, let’s build on it
Monday, 17 August 2009
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It was with a mixture of pride and sadness that I watched the Tall Ships leave Belfast yesterday as dramatically and impressively as they had arrived.
Pride that we had so successfully managed to put on the biggest event the city has ever seen. Sadness that this most exciting of weekends had drawn to a close.
The enormous benefit of working in partnership is one of the key lessons. It was Belfast City Council’s ambition to bring the Tall Ships back and we worked closely with the Belfast Harbour Commissioners and central Government to achieve that.
We contributed £1.1m to the £2.4m cost of the event and that was money well spent with the resulting visitors and an expected £10m boost to the economy.
What we have proved is that Belfast is an international city, capable of hosting the biggest and best events. I was thrilled that many of the ships’ crew members and tourists commented to me about the warmth of the welcome and spoke of the uniqueness of the Belfast experience.
Many of those were visiting Belfast for the first time — and first impressions last. Many also said they will come back and tell their friends and families what a great city we have. And it is time for all of the people of this city to believe and have confidence in ourselves.
And there’s more to come. Our most famous building, the City Hall, will re-open within the next couple of months. The Ulster Museum will also re-open later in the year. Next year we have new theatres, the completion of the Obel, the city’s tallest building, and further development of Titanic Quarter.
This year we have bucked the trend of falling visitors across Europe and the UK, achieving a record number of visitors of around 7 million.
We believe we can continue that success story. In 2012 we have the centenary of the Titanic and we aim to have our new signature tourist project ready. And then in 2013 we will host up to 25,000 athletes and their families with the World Police and Fire Service Games, a world-class sporting event.
We have so much to build on and so much to which we can look forward. Belfast is now widely regarded as a happening, must-see city. This is Belfast’s moment and we have to build on the legacy of the most successful and biggest event our city has seen. I believe we can.
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Comments
102 Comments
Get a grip and stop complaining. You want a proper event be prepared to put your hand in your pocket. Its called entertainment.
The Tall Ships helps to send the signal to the world that Belfast has changed and is moving forward. Perhaps the ridiculous early closing times in Belfast will now be looked at!!
Posted by Amadán | 21.08.09, 22:41 GMT
Seriously and without any sarcasm, I have never in my travels seen a city less cultured than Belfast.
City of Intolerance is a title which Belfast would win hands down. Reading the Belfast Telegraph on a regular basis, most of the time I am pretty speechless by what goes on. I had to check my calendar to see if it was April Fool's day. Actually, you couldn't make this stuff up if you tried!!!!
Posted by ex-pat, Canada | 21.08.09, 21:05 GMT
The local media made this event out to be bigger than the olympics and the world cup put together, Belfast city of culture, stop it BT my ribs hurt.
Posted by rn | 21.08.09, 18:01 GMT
look around and what do you see? flags flags and more flags, tribalism at its worst, until this practice ceases we should get nothing!!!
Posted by sean from co down Ireland | 21.08.09, 17:48 GMT
I don't want to seem like a naysayer, but a visit from a few ships once every 18 years does not make Belfast a city of culture. How can it be? One theatre, no fully operational museums, a derelict shipyard about to become an upmarket industrial and housing estate.
Posted by Michael Love | 21.08.09, 16:39 GMT
Belfast........city of culture?? Nelson Mc Causland......Minister for culture. Sometimes I think I must be living in a parallel universe
Posted by mark | 21.08.09, 14:20 GMT
Desy - seriously mate, you need to get out more.
Posted by mistercee | 21.08.09, 13:55 GMT
Ha! city of intolerance to other cultures would suit belfast more
Posted by michael fallon | 21.08.09, 13:12 GMT
As Tall Ship events go - this was poor and relied on tacky markets and fun fairs together with hype from the media to turn it into an attraction. Maybe that's what the people of NI want but I cant help feeling they deserve better. There were very few proper tall ships in Belfast, contrast it to the classy spectacular event run in the city of Waterford in 2005 when the ships were the event. Quayside entertainment was quirky and different, local existing businesses catered for all needs without any need fore continental markets. The park and ride carparks and transport operated incredibly smoothly with none of the problems Belfast encountered. There were in excess of 90 ships (exactly how many did Belfast end up with?) and they are returning to Waterford in 2011. Maybe those who are trying to attract them back to Belfast should take a trip down to see a true cultural event!
Posted by Alistair | 21.08.09, 13:11 GMT
a city of culture generally has a more than a few galleries and museums open to the public rather than all shut for refurbishment, along with a thriving arts scene. belfast just isn't there yet. it will get there in future but it's a long way off i'm afraid.
Posted by rachel | 21.08.09, 13:01 GMT
Back to the subject at hand... why would Belfast be selected as leading NI's bid to be UK Capital of Culture? Derry's Walls are 400 years old that day, 23 acres sites like Ebrington are subject to arts led regenerated and there is a disproportionate level of arts activity in the City.
Belfast has tried and failed before, time to try something new surely?
Posted by Border Hopper | 21.08.09, 11:13 GMT
How about examining the reasons behind Belfast's previous failed bid for the City of Culture before launching another application with no financial backing?
Posted by Bemused | 21.08.09, 10:54 GMT
If BCC is serious about city of culture they have to stop mucking about with arts funding, we get less per capita than any other part of the UK.
Posted by Jambo | 21.08.09, 10:36 GMT
City of Culture? Ha ha. I can't stop laughing. That's a cracker. It's the way the Tele tells them.
Posted by billy boy | 21.08.09, 09:56 GMT
The tall ships were amazing, the rest of the over priced rubbish wasn't. In 1991 when they came here there wasn't any need for all the uneeded extras.
Posted by rn | 20.08.09, 09:18 GMT
I just read that the tall ships may come back in 2015 i hope they do and although i dont want to wish my life away i really hope they do come back and we can all enjoy another great time and just imagine what Belfast will be like then as we have showed what we can do if we work together. look what this city is like now even compared to 1991 when the first came and think what its going to be like in 2015 with the signature progect finished and all the other thigs that is happening in our great city and i agree why not bring the commenwealth games or something like that here come on Belfast we can do it.
Posted by Desy | 20.08.09, 00:55 GMT
For Godsake, can't anyone say they don't like something without being torn to pieces for "moaning"? Awwww, did someone hate the festival you loved? Big deal, build a bridge and get over it. Not everything in this world goes nice and perfect for everyone. Everyone hates some things. They have the right to complain about it just like you have the right to say you loved it. No-one forces you to read the comments or even reply saying that they are "moaning". By the way, I do realise I am "moaning" as most of you would say, so don't bother pointing that out.
Posted by Sandra Sandrason | 19.08.09, 16:57 GMT
Re Stewie Griffen
Bemused has a right to his opinion & thoughts just as much as anyone else. You obviously enjoyed dressing up that day as a pirate. ps Are you in the show Family Guy?
Posted by Studly Lovebucket | 19.08.09, 12:26 GMT
go down to belfast docks there is plenty of ships down there.... every day too
Posted by chery | 18.08.09, 23:31 GMT
Tues 8pm...am still standing on Bangor coastal path...tall ships were supposed to pass about 2 pm Sunday....saw one and then nothing since....have they left port ?
I'm sure it will be a fantastic spectacle when they sail past in a flotilla.....
Posted by Tyred Wayting | 18.08.09, 20:41 GMT
102 Comments