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

Voices of Faith - Day 2: A profound confluence of spirituality, music, and dialogue

Barnaby Rogerson in conversation with Anthony Sattin (L) on day 2 of Voices of Faith

Voices of Faith - Day 2: A profound confluence of spirituality, music, and dialogue

Mahesh Liloriya

The second day of Voices of Faith unfolded with an enchanting blend of music, philosophy, and intellectual exploration at the Barbican Centre, London. This inaugural festival, curated by Teamwork Arts—the force behind the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) and JLF London—has been made possible by the Kamini and Vindi Banga Family Trust, with the support of Tech Mahindra. Eastern Eye and Garavi Gujarat serve as the official media partners, amplifying the festival’s reach and resonance.

Session 1- Echoes of eternity: The timeless notes of Kabir

Keep ReadingShow less
starmer-immigration

Speaking at the Organised Immigration Crime Summit, Starmer said the government is working to restore order to the immigration system.

UK returns 24,000 illegal migrants since July, highest in eight years

THE UK government has returned over 24,000 individuals with no legal right to remain in the country since July, marking the highest rate of removals in eight years, prime minister Keir Starmer said on Monday.

Speaking at the Organised Immigration Crime Summit, Starmer said the government is working to restore order to the immigration system.

Keep ReadingShow less
'Aga Khan dedicated his life to service, peace, and pluralism'

Baroness Patricia Scotland speaks at an Iftar dinner held at the Ismaili Centre in London (Photo: The Ismaili National Council for the United Kingdom)

'Aga Khan dedicated his life to service, peace, and pluralism'

THE outgoing head of the Commonwealth has paid tribute to the late Prince Karim Aga Khan, describing him as a visionary leader whose lifelong dedication to service, peace, and pluralism has left a lasting impact on the world.

Speaking at an Iftar dinner held at the Ismaili Centre in London last Wednesday (26), Baroness Patricia Scotland, who steps down as Commonwealth secretary general on 1 April, reflected on her personal connection with the Aga Khan, recalling their meetings during Commonwealth Day celebrations at Westminster Abbey.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer-Trump-Getty

Trump has suggested the possibility of a 'great' trade deal that could help the UK mitigate the impact of tariffs he has pledged to introduce. (Photo: Getty Images)

Starmer, Trump talk trade deal progress in 'productive' discussion

KEIR STARMER and Donald Trump spoke on Sunday about ongoing UK-US trade negotiations, with Downing Street describing the talks as "productive."

Since leaving the European Union, the UK has been working to secure a trade agreement with the United States. Successive British governments have pursued a deal, but it has remained elusive.

Keep ReadingShow less
Myanmar-quake-rescue-Reuters

Rescuers carry the body of a victim during search and rescue operations, following a strong earthquake, in Bangkok, Thailand, March 30. (Photo: Reuters)

Myanmar earthquake death toll rises to 1,700, UK pledges £10m in aid

RESCUE efforts continued in Myanmar as residents searched for survivors in collapsed buildings in Mandalay, two days after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck the country. The disaster has killed at least 1,700 people in Myanmar and 17 in neighbouring Thailand.

The quake hit near Mandalay on Friday afternoon, followed minutes later by a 6.7-magnitude aftershock. The tremors caused widespread destruction, damaging buildings, bridges, and roads in the city of more than 1.7 million people.

Keep ReadingShow less