Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ shines a spotlight on Coventry - the UK City of Culture 2021 - an extraordinary year of music, film, poetry and more

A film about the car industry, a poetry and spoken-word festival, and a documentary about the woman who helped create the famous Doctor Who theme tune are just some of the creative highlights from the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ to mark Coventry UK City of Culture 2021.

Published: 12:30 pm, 2 March 2021
Tim Davie
Tim Davie, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Director General
To be chosen as the UK City of Culture 2021 is a huge honour, and whilst things may run a little differently this year, I can’t think of a better place than Coventry to embrace the uniqueness of the event and make it an even bigger reason to celebrate. The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ will be here to support the city every step of the way."
— Tim Davie, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Director General

There is also a new programme about the destruction and rebuild of Coventry Cathedral, as the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ shines a spotlight on the West Midlands city.

Throughout Coventry UK City of Culture 2021 (#CoventryMoves) the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ is bringing big events to the city and delivering brand new content that reflects Coventry’s history, heritage and creativity.

Tim Davie, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Director General, says: “To be chosen as the UK City of Culture 2021 is a huge honour, and whilst things may run a little differently this year, I can’t think of a better place than Coventry to embrace the uniqueness of the event and make it an even bigger reason to celebrate.

"The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ will be here to support the city every step of the way, helping to showcase the many talents of a city that is on the 'move', and drawing on its rich history to connect with audiences through the joy and celebration of music, arts, poetry, film, comedy and much, much more.”

Jonty Claypole, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Director of Arts, says: “Since its launch in 2013, UK City of Culture has shown it has the power to transform cities and the lives of its people by shining a light on their creativity. The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ has played a critical role in sharing those stories with the rest of the UK and the world. Despite every obstacle the pandemic has thrown at it, Coventry is launching an astonishing programme this year, which the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ will be both covering, as well as adding to, through our commissions.”

Stuart Thomas, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Head of the Midlands, adds: “Only the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ can broadcast the excitement, ambition and colour of the UK City of Culture to the region, the UK and the world. Right now it’s impossible to predict what kind of restrictions we will face in the next year - but if people can’t come to the Midlands, we can bring Coventry to them. We’re fully embracing the challenge and will have coverage across TV, radio and online throughout what promises to be an extraordinary year.”

Outline of some of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ programming and events coming to Coventry:

  • Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Four’s Arena takes a look at the life and work of Delia Derbyshire, a Coventry-born composer who helped to create the famous Doctor Who theme music. Delia worked for the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ’s Radiophonic Workshop and is now seen as a pioneer in electronic music. Delia Derbyshire: The Myths & The Legendary Tapes explores her life and legacy.
  • Other Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Arts programmes include Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Four’s Classic British Cars: Made In Coventry which documents the rise, fall and rebirth of the motor industry in Coventry and features rare archive films and photographs. Coventry-born motoring journalist Mark Evans shares the story of the classic cars made in Coventry, from the Daimler to the Triumph and from the Riley to the Jaguar, meeting some great characters on the way.
  • The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Four documentary Phoenix At Coventry explores the creation and building of Coventry Cathedral, and tells the story of how the Church of England broke with traditional architecture and commissioned modernist Basil Spence to rebuild the city’s new centre of worship. Using a wide range of rarely-seen archive footage and stills, the film focuses on the years from 1940, when a German bombing raid reduced Coventry’s medieval cathedral to ruins, to 1962 when the new cathedral was consecrated. The design and construction of the Cathedral and the creation of its artworks by Graham Sutherland, John Piper and others is set against the social and political contexts of post-war reconstruction and reconciliation.
  • Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ One’s hugely popular Antiques Roadshow is also in the region featuring an interview with singer Pauline Black from The Selecter, and items celebrating the Two-Tone music scene.
  • In September, the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Arts annual poetry and spoken word festival Contains Strong Language - a partnership between the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ, Coventry City of Culture Trust, Writing West Midlands, and Nine Arches Press - comes to the city for the biggest celebration of poetry ever seen in the region. The flagship four-day festival will showcase some of the best spoken word and poetry artists, revealing the best existing and emerging talent from across Coventry and the Midlands which will be available for audiences on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ radio and online. In addition, the festival will be running a selection of community based projects throughout the year of celebration.

Local and regional coverage:

As the pandemic continues to present challenges for people up and down the country, it has become even more pressing to tell the stories that connect communities and give hope through the power of television, radio and online.

  • Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ CWR - Local Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ radio station, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ CWR is at the centre of UK’s City of Culture 2021 celebrations bringing special programmes and events straight into people’s homes throughout the year - telling the story of the people of Coventry and uncovering what makes and shapes the city. Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ CWR is linking their coverage through ‘The 21’ – a group of diverse people from across the city who have been recruited to be the station’s face of Coventry City of Culture and immerse themselves in everything the year has to offer.
  • Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ CWR is also joining forces with community radio in the area for a Community Radio Takeover Day, which aims to put the people of Coventry at the heart of content and to help develop local skills and talent.
  • Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Midlands Today: Throughout the year there is also going to be regular coverage from Coventry UK City of Culture on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Midlands Today, delivering the latest news and stories that matter to local audiences and beyond.

The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ is committed to supporting Coventry UK City of Culture 2021 throughout the year and further announcements about new content, events and coverage of the celebrations will follow.

Programming begins with the Antiques Roadshow from Kenilworth Castle on Sunday 7 March at 8pm and the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Arts programmes will follow later in the year as Coventry UK City of Culture gets underway.

HM3