Urban Renewal
January 2, 2008
"Love Me Do" could be the anthem of this British town known most famously as home to the Fab Four. Visitors to the city on the Mersey River are confronted with Beatlemania as soon as they arrive at the airport, which is named after John Lennon.
Indeed, for many years, most visitors were drawn to Liverpool due to the Beatles' fame. "People all over the world have heard of this place," tour guide Phil Hughes told DPA news agency.
The musical history alone could be reason enough to deem Liverpool a "European Capital of Culture" in 2008. After all, other British music greats -- the Rolling Stones, the Kinks and The Who among them -- got their start in the Cavern Club in Mathew Street. Even American music stars such as Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley once played there.
Beatles' fame not enough
"The Beatles legacy certainly helped the city, but that alone wasn't all we wanted to show the world," said Paul Newman, spokesman for the Liverpool Culture Company. The company has been the hub for the transformation of the seaport in northwestern England that was not long ago an example of urban decay.
Decades ago, Liverpool was rutted in unemployment and a sense of hopelessness far longer than other industrial regions.
The shipyards had been shut down, followed by massive redundancies in the region's manufacturing sector.
In the 1980s, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher introduced sweeping reforms throughout the country, but Liverpool missed the boat.
Pragmatism and economic expertise ultimately helped Liverpool citizens to pull themselves up by the boot straps. But culture also played a big part in the transformation of the city, with cultural institutions receiving massive financial support.
"It brought us out of the crisis," Newman told DPA. "Investing in art and culture was the right thing to do, especially during a very difficult period."
Capitalizing on culture
Now, Liverpool is second only to London in its vast array of cultural events, including an annual modern art fair, galleries with free admission, theater and concerts at the Philharmonic Hall.
Liverpool is also Europe's biggest building site. Cranes will dot the skyline throughout the year of culture in 2008 and longer, as the regeneration of entire districts is planned for well into 2010.
Meanwhile, tourists can enjoy the sight of the "Liver Bird" -- a cross between a cormorant, a griffin and an eagle that is the city's mascot. In addition to resting atop the Liver Building, the bird can also be seen on the jerseys of the city's world-renowned soccer team.
Slavery history exposed
A lively spot for tourists is the historic harbor area called Albert Dock. The dock has undergone extensive renovation after years of neglect, with the waterfront district hosting everything from the "Tate Liverpool" -- home of the National Collection of Modern Art in the North of England and the largest gallery of modern and contemporary art outside London -- to shops, cafes and the International Slavery Museum.
The museum addresses Liverpool's history as the prime shipment point for "human cargo" between Africa and America -- a trade that contributed to the city's former enormous wealth.
Though the slave trade was banned in Britain in 1807, a debate broke out about the issue last year. Penny Lane, located in the harbor district and which a Beatles song helped make one of the city's most famous, was named after ship-owner James Penny.
Mr. Penny's ships transported enslaved Africans to Britain's colonies in America hundreds of years ago.
Last year, a local councilman proposed renaming the street, but many citizens protested, including Liverpool's black community, who spoke out against what they called the "silliness" of the matter.
Back on the map
Whether it's exploring Liverpool's history as a "gateway to the world," its rich architectural legacy or the haunts of rock 'n' roll stars, visitors will find plenty to do in the city.
And, if they're still not satisfied, they can attend any of the more than 300 cultural events planned for 2008, some led by such stellar Liverpudlian sons as former Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, as well as conductor Sir Simon Rattle, who will take his Berlin Philharmonic to his hometown to perform.