W
L
BOROUGH OF CULTURE 2019
THE SPECTACULAR ANIMATED SQUARE RETURNS
TO LAUNCH WIRRAL’S BOROUGH OF CULTURE YEAR!
On Saturday 23 March, Birkenhead Town Hall will come
alive for Animated Square - the first spectacular event of
Wirral’s year as Borough of Culture for Liverpool City
Region. The Grade II*-listed building will be the canvas
for an incredible 3D projection inspired by the story of the
town, which attracted thousands of people when it was first
shown last year.
An accompanying free family festival will provide
entertainment and build the excitement in the build-up to
the projection. From late afternoon, visitors will be able to
enjoy circus performers, wonderful character encounters, and
stunning illumination around the square. A number of Wirral
choirs, including the Wilfred Owen Choir, The Luminelles,
Kaboodle, River Sign Choir and Birkenhead School Choir, will
be performing before the projection show which will enchant
the audience as darkness falls. There will also be a fun fair and
a selection of food and drink stands for everyone to enjoy.
First seen as part of the celebrations for the Three Festivals
Tall Ships Regatta in May last year, the projection show reflects
Birkenhead’s people, places and history, and Wirral’s impact on
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the wider world. The incredible display is a fitting way to herald
Wirral’s Borough of Culture year.
Award-winning Illuminos, who created the projection show,
spent time investigating Birkenhead’s past, present and future
to unearth stories they could incorporate into the light and
sound display. Their research took them to Wirral Archives,
Birkenhead Priory, Birkenhead Library, Birkenhead Park,
Bidston Windmill and Cammell Laird, where they spoke to
local archivists and historians.
The event is organised by Wirral Council, with funding for
the projection from Arts Council England. The Borough of
Culture initiative was introduced by the Liverpool City Region
Combined Authority and is designed to encourage cultural
activities across the region.
Full timings for the event will be released closer to the event.
For more information, please visit imaginewirral.com or
follow @ImagineWirral on Twitter.