Hollywood actor Michael Sheen is urging the people of Swansea Bay to get behind the region’s bid to be UK City of Culture in 2013.
The star is one of a number of high profile industry names putting their full support behind Swansea Bay’s title bid, which could help attract world-wide interest and millions of pounds in economic benefits to the region.
Sheen, who is starring in the smash-hit teen movie Twilight 2, is from Port Talbot and is a firm supporter of the city’s cultural life.
He said: “I’m very excited to be supporting this bid. We’ve got 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 in 2013.”
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 is now waiting to hear how it has got on early next month.
Final shortlisted areas will be challenged to develop a much more detailed Full and Final Bid. The winner is 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. He said: “Public support, particularly once the shortlist is announced, is vital. If we’re on that list, and I’m optimistic we will be, the people of Swansea Bay will need to show that they really want it to come here.”
Chris Holley, Leader of Swansea Council, said if Swansea Bay succeeds, 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’ll be a brilliant endorsement of Swansea and Swansea Bay if we make the final shortlist,” he said.
Fiona Rees, Executive Director of Swansea Bay Futures, 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.”
