19/01/2012
Who would you most like to visit Derry~Londonderry in 2013? A TV star, a footballer, or maybe your auntie from America?
Well, the good news is that the city’s children are now getting the opportunity to invite their favourite out-of-towner to join in the celebrations – thanks to a contest being organised across all schools here.
The City of Culture community initiative, ‘Visit our City of Culture in 2013’, is aimed at encouraging young people to communicate – via letter, email, video or song - with a friend, relative or even a favourite famous person, who lives outside the city.
The test for entrants is simple: explain to their invitee why they should come to Derry~Londonderry in 2013.
The competition has the backing of the city’s literary and educational community including Guildhall Press publishing house, Learning Pool and the Verbal Arts Centre. And there will be prizes for both the successful children and their schools for the top entry in each of the four categories.
The competition will be open to pre-school, primary school and secondary school children between the ages of four and 18 and split into four bands, with different requirements from the entries in each category.
The four to six year olds will be asked to write one or two sentences, and add to a sketch produced by local publishing house Dog Ears, who are best known for their character Rosie Red - the sketch is downloadable by clicking on this link.
Entrants in other categories will be able to choose to submit a letter, an email, a video or a song outlining why the recipient should come to the city in 2013.
Winners from each category and their school will both receive a prize. The student will win an e-reader, with the school receiving £500 for books and arts supplies, courtesy of our competition partners.
The initiative was launched today at the Verbal Arts Centre by the partners, and Culture Company 2013’s Director of Communications and Marketing Garbhán Downey.
Mr Downey commented: “There is no better way for us to market our city than for our young people – who have been such proud drivers of the City of Culture project – to tell the world our story.
“Millions of people across the world have connections to Derry. And then there are those who have no connection with us but will want to come as soon as they hear about the city and what we are planning for 2013.”
Guildhall Press MD Paul Hippsley said that the contest was a very creative way to engage with the huge Derry~Londonderry Diaspora.
“The beauty of this competition is that we will get to see the potential of City of Culture through the eyes of our young people. We look forward to reading all the fantastic entries.”
Rachael Harkin, Web Developer, Learning Pool, said: “We believe that you’re never too young to develop good communication skills and that’s why Learning Pool is delighted to be part of the City of Culture’s Letter Writing competition. Whether it’s the crayon, pen, voice or pixel we’re sure there will be some brilliant entries from tomorrow’s innovators.”
James Kerr, Verbal Arts Centre explains: “The lost art of letter writing is close to the heart of the Verbal Arts Centre – this exciting competition will encourage the young people of the city to get writing and tell the world what a great place Derry~Londonderry is.”
Competition guidelines are avilable at this link
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