Anthony Painter

Today Birmingham submits its bid for UK City of Culture 2013. Boringly, the BBC focuses on the economic impact that winning the accolade- to be announced in July- would have on the city (they even interview Sir/ Lord whatever-he-is Digby Jones- yawn.) But actually it’s far more meaningful than that. What has been completely clear from the outset is that Birmingham’s bid is driven by the people of the city and the region. And it’s denominated in a priceless currency- Brummie pride.

As one Donato Esposito said to me a while back: “The thing about Birmingham is that is has become incredibly diverse while retaining its sense of tradition and identity.” I can’t put it any better than that. To retain a sense of meaning and identity in the context of huge economic and social upheaval shows the inner strength of city’s strong cultural bonds- bonds of culture that cross cultures. Here’s a video that Donato, creator of the Brummie/ Yam Yam brand, Bostin (go buy one of the t-shirts now!), made at the send-off for the city’s bid yesterday:

Says it all really. Culture in Birmingham is an energy of all its people and its history. In many ways, Birmingham is Britain’s city. I’m talking about the Britain that was the workshop of the world. Now it’s changed. Manufacturing remains in the famous brands that are still located and manufactured in the city- Jaguar Land Rover, Cadbury, and Dunlop (just) are obvious examples.

Manufacturing decline has hit the city hard but it has found new industries and opportunities through which to develop its economy and identity: creativity, science, music, finance, fashion, iconic retail, and higher education. It was a city born of canals, then rail lines, and then roads. It is still an industrial city in its core and in its emotion. But it has found a new way of expressing itself in the twenty-first century.

It has its hardship, don’t get me wrong. Every city does. That can’t be ignored. And yet, the city has regained its forward-looking and optimistic spirit- only suppressed but not eliminated during the 1980s.

Birmingham is not an arrogant or in your face city. It is understated, perhaps too much so sometimes. Make no mistake, though, this is city that is ready to radiate Brummie pride and show the nation and the world what it is made of. And that is grit pluming in flair.

This effervescent and optimistic spirit laced with an understated pride- a people’s pride and hopes for their city- is why Birmingham deserves UK City of Culture 2013. When it’s announced in July, Birmingham will be ready to show the world the greatness that the UK has to offer. You say culture. I say Birmingham.