Croydon reveals its programme for a year as London Borough of Culture 2023 and everyone is welcome
Croydon has announced its programme for a year as The Mayor of London’s London Borough of Culture.
On Tuesday, Croydon released the upcoming highlights of This Is Croydon which will mark a year of celebrations from April 2023 until March 2024.
Grassroots talent, unsung cultural heroes, young people and disability led productions take centre stage.Â
As one of London’s youngest boroughs, Croydon’s young people will have the chance to take part and lead in new projects, while a rich heritage programme brings stories of Croydon’s communities to the forefront.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “This is Croydon will be a spectacular celebration of the borough’s unique identity, heritage and character, bringing together communities and giving grassroots creativity the chance to shine.
“It will be a fantastic example of how culture can inspire and unleash the potential of the next generation as we build a better London for everyone.”
This Is Croydon opens on April 1, with Oratorio of Hope at Fairfield Halls, a brand-new commission led by world-acclaimed chamber orchestra London Mozart Players.Â
More than 250 of the borough’s young singers and instrumentalists make up the orchestra and the composition is led by Grammy nominated and Croydon educated Tarik O’Regan.
April will also see the opening of Caribbean Influencers, a new exhibition developed by Museum of Croydon together with National Portrait Gallery, artist Kyam (Camara Pinnock), Poet Laureate Shaniqua Benjamin and local volunteers Citizen Researchers.Â
The celebrations will be marking the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop as well as embracing its wider music heritage.Â
To highlight the importance of music to Croydon, Music Heritage Trail celebrates the rich history of music making in the borough, which produced the likes of Stormzy, dubstep pioneers Skream and Benga, The Damned, and Mercury Prize Album of the Year nominee Loyle Carner.
Caterina Loriggio, creative consultant, Croydon London Borough of Culture, said: “This is Croydon is going to be a year we can all be proud of. Â
“We hope the year of culture will not just inspire, excite, and engage, but also enable change.Â
“Croydon has always had our eye on the future and the London Borough of Culture is just the start of the next leg of that journey.”
Pictured Top: Croydon’s London Borough of Council (Picture: Croydon council, Glen Foster)
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