Both cities are calling on everyone to get involved in the bid by sharing photographs that illustrate what being at home is for them - to help shape the artistic concepts and flagship events being hatched. 

Belfast Lord Mayor Councillor Nuala McAllister said: “I definitely feel most at home with my partner Sam and our son Finn. And one of our favourite places to spend time together is Belfast Castle and the Cavehill. "

  

Meanwhile, Derry City and Strabane District Council Mayor Councillor Maolíosa McHugh said: “For me, St Eugene’s GAA club is my home from home. It’s somewhere I can meet with friends, have a chat, a laugh and celebrate my culture and love of Gaelic games. There’s a very strong sense of community spirit here, something that I feel is a very important part of our bid for European Capital of Culture status in 2023.”

 

Encouraging the public to get behind the bid, Mayor McHugh says that securing the European Capital of Culture 2023 title would have significant social and economic benefits for the entire region.

“We want everyone to be part of this process and to tell us what they want to see from the bid. We’ll be inviting people to come along and be part of the conversation at a series of events taking place across both council areas – so make sure you have your say!”

Share your stories and post your photos on social media using the hashtag #home2023 or email [email protected]  and your images will be added to the Flickr gallery.

The best images submitted will form part of an online exhibition at www.weare2023.eu/home2023.

  

 

Derry City and Strabane District Council Mayor Councillor Maolíosa McHugh is pictured with his family at his ‘home from home’, St Eugene’s GAA club.   “There’s a very strong sense of community spirit here, something that I feel is a very important part of our bid for European Capital of Culture status in 2023.”