With a cityscape dominated by a refreshing mix of contemporary and traditional architecture. With graduates optimistically sending their CVs into the city’s many buoyant companies in the hope of securing a job and relocating to Yorkshire’s capital. With the world’s media soon to congregate in Leeds when one of the biggest sporting events in the world starts there this summer, it is hardly surprising Leeds is frequently dubbed as being the “London of the North.”
It stands to reason that such a vibrant and pulsating city boasts a colourful year-round calendar of events. We have to admit with the ‘Grand Depart’ coming to Leeds on 5 July and with the city gearing towards bidding for European Capital of Culture, this summer’s event calendar is particularly impressive.
Take a look at some of the best events taking place in Leeds this summer.
The Yorkshire Festival 2014
The Yorkshire Festival 2014 began on 27 March and will run for 100 days until the widely awaited Grand Depart of the Tour de France takes place on Saturday 5 July 2014. As the Yorkshire Festival 2014 organisers’ state:
“The arrival of the biggest bike race in the world is being lead by a new celebration of what we have to offer all over the city and region.”
The event is hosting 47 new projects, centred on visual arts, film and theatre. It aims to link Leeds’ established cultural heritage to the city’s sporting connections. These new projects include a play written by Wakefield actress Maxine Peake about the life of Morley-born Beryl Burton and a special screening of Leeds’ legend Alan Bennett’s ‘A Day Out’.
At the festival’s opening, the event’s chief executive Henrietta Duckworth urged people to:
“Explore the new, celebrate together and be part of it.”
The festival is aimed at attracting people of every age, including children. With international artists, ‘woolly bike trails’, and ghost pelotons, the Yorkshire Festival 2014 looks set to be a landmark event in Leeds this summer.
Big Bookend & Europe Direct Fairtrade Festival
2014 marks the 10th anniversary of Leeds being a Fairtrade city. To celebrate such an achievement on 7 – 8 June, 2014 Leeds Central Library will host the Big Bookend & Europe Direct Fairtrade Festival. This mini festival will enable families to individuals to “learn, taste and discover” more behind the Fairtrade logo.
This interactive event will enable attendees to witness Fairtrade products through the eyes of farmers. Participants will also be given the opportunity to sample a range of Fairtrade food, including truffles and tropical fruit.
For more information on the Big Bookend Festival visit the official website.
The Leeds Curry Festival
Leeds’ action-packed festival and events scene extends into the late summer when the Curry Festival takes place.
Calling all curry lovers, in September 13 – 14, 2014 the Leeds Cultural Curry Festival will be taking place in Millennium Square.
Bordered by many of Leeds’ most famous landmarks, such as the Leeds College of Art, the Town Hall and the Leeds City Museum, the Millennium Square has become a focal point for many events taking place in Leeds.
During the festival the square will be laden with numerous stalls offering curries from all around the world. Alongside the curry bonanza there will be stalls providing arts, crafts and entertainment.
A demo stage will also be preset in which celebrity chefs will demonstrate to an eagerly-awaiting crowd how to make deliciously authentic curries.
For more information on this year’s Leeds Cultural Curry Festival visit the official website.
