Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Asians celebrate Bradford City of Culture 2025 launch

The initiative spans the entire Bradford district in West Yorkshire and began with a performance celebrating the area's cultural diversity, where one in three residents are of South Asian heritage.

Bradford-Getty

The city secured the prestigious title after competing against a record 20 bids. (Photo: Getty Images)

BRADFORD has officially launched its UK City of Culture 2025 programme, with British Asians actively participating to highlight the region’s diversity, bustling markets, and renowned curry restaurants.

The city secured the prestigious title after competing against a record 20 bids.


The initiative spans the entire Bradford district in West Yorkshire and began with a performance celebrating the area's cultural diversity, where one in three residents are of South Asian heritage.

Lisa Nandy, the secretary of state for culture, media and sport, said the event is about empowering communities to come together and tell their stories.

“Our communities can and should be empowered to come together, tell their story and create change in their local area. That is what the UK City of Culture competition is all about,” she said.

Bradford's year-long programme includes performances, exhibitions, and activities inspired by its industrial history, UNESCO City of Film status, and the surrounding countryside.

Deepak Sharma, trustee of the Bradford Hindu Council, expressed excitement about upcoming events like Diwali celebrations, rangoli, and Yoga for International Yoga Day.

“We’re going to do some rangoli with children, Yoga for International Yoga Day, and a series of events such as mehndi festivals. On the whole, visitors and Bradfordians alike will find a rich Indian cultural experience this year,” said Sharma, whose parents migrated from Punjab.

Fatima Patel, founder of the local weekly ‘Asian Standard,’ highlighted Bradford’s cultural vibrancy. “To have the UK City of Culture 2025 in Bradford is amazing because we get to invite people to explore our lovely city and see how many amazing things we have going on,” she said.

Patel also pointed out Bradford’s reputation as the “curry capital,” having won the title six years in a row.

The celebrations have also attracted Bollywood stars like Akshay Kumar and Ranveer Singh, who have filmed in the city’s historic architecture.

Two major exhibitions opened as part of the programme, including Aïda Muluneh's ‘Nationhood: Memory and Hope’ and ‘Fighting to be Heard’ at the Cartwright Hall Art Gallery.

Other highlights include Akram Khan’s reinterpretation of The Jungle Book at the Alhambra Theatre and a David Hockney exhibition at the National Science and Media Museum.

West Yorkshire mayor Tracy Brabin said Bradford’s creative industries are brimming with ingenuity and diversity.

“That’s why we’re investing GBP 6 million into Bradford UK City of Culture 2025 – to attract visitors and investment, create jobs and growth, and build a stronger, brighter West Yorkshire,” she said.

(With inputs from PTI)

More For You

Man found guilty of rape and murder of Irish backpacker in India

McLaughlin, 28, from County Donegal, was found dead in a field in Goa in March 2017. (Photo credit: Twitter)

Man found guilty of rape and murder of Irish backpacker in India

A COURT in India has found Vikat Bhagat guilty of the rape and murder of Irish backpacker Danielle McLaughlin.

McLaughlin, 28, from County Donegal, was found dead in a field in Goa in March 2017.

Keep ReadingShow less
Alderman Alastair King

King, who serves as the global ambassador for the City of London, will be in Mumbai to discuss trade and investment under his mayoral theme, 'Growth Unleashed.'

Lord Mayor of London to visit India for trade talks

THE LORD MAYOR of London, Alderman Alastair King, is set to visit India for a week starting Saturday, aiming to promote free trade and capital flows between the two countries.

King, who serves as the global ambassador for the City of London, will be in Mumbai to discuss trade and investment under his mayoral theme, “Growth Unleashed.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Pablo-Escobar-merchandise-Getty

Escobar, killed by security forces in 1993, remains a figure of global interest, with his image appearing on souvenirs like T-shirts, mugs, and keychains. (Photo: Getty Images)

Colombia considers ban on Pablo Escobar merchandise

COLOMBIA’s Congress is considering a bill that would ban the sale of merchandise featuring drug lord Pablo Escobar and other convicted criminals.

The proposed law aims to curb the glorification of Escobar, who was responsible for thousands of deaths during his time leading the Medellín cartel, reported BBC.

Keep ReadingShow less
Assisted dying bill: Judge approval scrapped for expert panel safeguard

Polls show most Britons back assisted dying, with supporters calling for the law to reflect public opinion.

Assisted dying bill: Judge approval scrapped for expert panel safeguard

Eastern Eye

THE proposed new assisted dying law for terminally ill people will be amended to remove the requirement that a high court judge sign off on each case, Labour MP Kim Leadbeater said on Tuesday (11).

Opponents of assisted dying said the change would weaken the safeguards around protecting vulnerable people from being coerced or pressured into taking their own lives.

Keep ReadingShow less
Andrew Malkinson

Malkinson, 59, has been struggling financially since his release and has been on universal credit for 19 months. (Photo: X/@NotThatBigIan)

Wrongful rape conviction: Andrew Malkinson to get 'significant' compensation

ANDREW MALKINSON, who spent 17 years in prison for a rape he did not commit, will receive a six-figure interim compensation payment from the Ministry of Justice.

The payment comes more than a year after his conviction was overturned by the Court of Appeal in July 2023.

Keep ReadingShow less