Hollywood actor Michael Sheen backing Swansea Bay culture capital bid
MOVIE star Michael Sheen is throwing his weight behind Swansea Bay's bid to become UK City of Culture in 2013.
The award-winning actor is one of a number of high profile industry names supporting the title bid, which could help attract world-wide interest and millions of pounds in economic benefits to the region.
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Actor Michael Sheen is backing Swansea Bay.
New Moon and The Queen star Michael said he was a firm supporter of Swansea's cultural life.
"I'm very excited to be supporting this bid," he said.
"We have such a wealth of cultural activity in Swansea Bay and I'm proud to support it in any way I can.
"It would be a real recognition of that if Swansea Bay were to be named UK City of Culture."
Swansea Bay Futures, which is leading the region's approach, has already put in an initial bid to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in London and will find out how it has got on early next month.
Final short-listed areas will be challenged to develop a much more detailed "full and final" bid, with the winner to be announced in the summer.
Swansea Bay's bid team also includes writer and broadcaster Peter Stead, who was on the evaluation panel that chose Liverpool for City of Culture in 2008.
He is bringing valuable expertise from that experience.
"Public support, particularly once the shortlist is announced, is vital," he said.
"If we're on that list, and I'm optimistic we will be, the people of Swansea Bay will need to show they really want it to come here."
Council leader Chris Holley said if Swansea Bay succeeded, it could attract world-wide interest to the region, create jobs and generate millions of pounds during the year itself, as well as bringing long-term economic benefits.
"It will be a brilliant endorsement of Swansea and Swansea Bay if we make the final shortlist," he added.
Swansea Bay Futures executive director Fiona Rees said: "The fantastic events we have hosted before prove Swansea Bay has the ambition and the ability to deliver even more in the future.
"It's the centenary of the birth of Dylan Thomas in 2014, so the designation as UK City of Culture in 2013 couldn't come at a better time."
paul.lewis@swwmedia.co.uk
8 Comments
by Jay, Swansea
Saturday, January 09 2010, 6:27PM
“Wow Swansea really is full of miserable, cynical, morose defeatists if these comments are anything to go by. So many of you harbour this attitude of "I'll more than likely fail so there's no point in trying in the first place". Life must be so joyful for you walking around under that permanent gloomy cloud of your own making.”
by Steve Jones, Uplands
Wednesday, January 06 2010, 7:45PM
“"It's the centenary of the birth of Dylan Thomas in 2014, so the designation as UK City of Culture in 2013 couldn't come at a better time." Well actually, 2014 would be a better time. LOL.
Seriously though, I don't think most people know who Dylan Thomas is. And if that's all Swansea has to offer by way of culture, then it's in a very sad state. So why didn't the EP list some of the cultural things we have to go along with this story. Oh yeah, because there aren't any.
Everyone in this article is talking about culture but no-one will give us an example, apart from Dylan, but that doesn't really count. Even if you think he was the greatest writer ever, that was a long time ago. A city of culture should be celebrating the culture of the moment.”
by Helmut Cheese, Dortmund
Wednesday, January 06 2010, 11:44AM
“It's a great idea for Swansea, along with Sheen, let's get Anthony Hopkins, Catherine Zeta Jones, Rob Brydon, Paul Potts and maybe Katherine Jenkins involved.
Ah, hold on..... That's why it's Swansea Bay. Though we could get Jordi Gomez back, best actor seen in Swansea in years.”
by THEmaddentist, presenting for foster
Wednesday, January 06 2010, 6:38AM
“The only culture in Swansea is growing in a petrie dish in a histology lab somewhere.”
by anon, wales
Tuesday, January 05 2010, 11:54PM
“it's called "swansea bay" because it's a joint bid by the councils of swansea, neath/port talbot and carmarthenshire.”
by robert, swansea
Tuesday, January 05 2010, 11:50PM
“We cant afford grit so who is going to pay for this? the actor who ever he is .”
by Confused, Old Swansea
Tuesday, January 05 2010, 8:30PM
“Where exactly is this place Swansea Bay?
Has Swansea now been officially renamed Swansea Bay by Holley's spin doctors in a feeble attempt to make dull, boring, scruffy Swansea appear more vibrant and exciting?
Or is it just a pathetic case of "trying to keep up with the Jones's" Cardiff has Cardiff Bay so Swansea must have one too?”
by Peter, Uplands, Swansea
Tuesday, January 05 2010, 8:12PM
“Swansea a 'city of culture'? What a joke...”