Derry Mayor Brenda Stevenson, exchanges gifts with the Mayor Juan Karlos Izagirre Hortelano, Donostia-San Sebastian City Council. Included, from left, are Colr. Gerard Diver, Gari Mujika Iriondo, Mayor’s office director, Sharon O’Connor, Chief Executive, Derry City Council, Colr. Paul Fleming, Xabier Paya Ruiz, Lighthouse of Voices manager, and Tony Gillespie. (Photo: Tom Heaney, nwpresspics).
A number of delegates from San Sebastian, the Spanish city awarded with the title of European Capital of Culture in 2016, are currently visiting Derry to learn about the city’s successful City of Culture year.
Among the delegation are Mayor of San Sebastian-Donostia, Juan Karlos Izagirre Hortelano and European Capital of Culture Organisation Cultural Director, Xabier Paya.
The group visited the historic Guildhall and the City Walls before meeting with representatives from Ilex and North West Regional Development office, Chamber of Commerce and Visit Derry.
The delegation is today visiting a number of the city’s Cultural venues which played a part in hosting the events of the City of Culture year such the Nerve Centre, Verbal Arts Centre as well as viewings of the Kelly Richardson Exhibition at the City Factory and the BT of a Portrait Exhibition “Days like These” at Pilots Row.
The group were welcomed Derry Mayor Cllr Brenda Stevenson and civic representatives from across the city.
Mayor Stevenson the visit provided a “great opportunity” for the city to showcase what it had to offer to an international audience.
She added: “As preparations are well underway by the team in San Sebastian for the delivery of the 2016 European Capital of Culture, it was indeed a great honour for all of us to share our experiences with them.
“2013 was a momentous and hugely successful year for our city and with the legacy from City of Culture we will continue to the build on this in terms of promoting our tourism offering, supporting our young people and nurturing the musical talent which we are becoming renowned for worldwide.
“As a city we share a lot of similarities with the Donostia-San Sebastian region in terms of climate, landscape and the drive of their people to look forward and ahead to the future for their citizens. The people have a great passion for their region and this was evident today.”
Mayor Stevenson concluded: “I wish them well for the planning and delivery of the cultural calendar for 2016 and beyond.”
Tags:
