Patrick, a 24 year old from Seaburn and Sunderland 2021 volunteer, writes about what the word ‘culture’ means to him.
What is culture? Opera? Theatrical ballet? Wine tasting? Yeah, that’s all culture, but it’s not our culture. We’re far more likely to go and see a local band play a live set, cheer the lads on at the stadium or have a few drinks at the pub quiz. And that’s culture too. So what if we’re not particularly continental? We don’t need to imitate other cultures, because we have our own. We’re just as cultural as anywhere else. I mean we dine alfresco too, fish and chips by the sea on a cold and blustery Friday afternoon still counts!
There is a misconception that culture is all a bit artsy and for the upper class, but it’s not at all. Culture is the social behaviour of a particular group of people and so Mackem culture is whatever we do, and however we choose to spend our leisure time. Whether that be going to the cinema on an evening, transforming into Frank Sinatra for one song only at a karaoke night or even fishing off the promenade – it’s all culture and we should be proud of it.
That doesn’t mean we all conform to the typical northern stereotype, nor should we. Sunderland has moved on from the days of coal mining and shipbuilding; the town has become the city. We are now a very culturally diverse community and all aspects of that should be celebrated.
That’s what the bid for Sunderland to become the UK City of Culture 2021 is all about, saying this is what we do, we embrace it and we’re proud of it. The people of Sunderland are often reluctant to promote the city. We’ll defend it to the hilt but won’t go out of our way to advertise it. It’s as though we think, ‘We know Sunderland is class, but why should we tell everybody else about it?’
There are loads of reasons! Investment, economic growth and employment opportunities to name but a few. Perhaps the most important reason though is to showcase the city and let the rest of the UK know how great Sunderland is, how much we have to offer and how much potential we have to grow into a truly multicultural hub of the UK. That’s why it’s so important everybody gets behind this bid. I’m proud to be from Sunderland, are you?
Patrick Sharkey
3rd August, 2016
—–
You can read more from Patrick on his own blog page http://mylifestoodstill.blogspot.co.uk/
If you have any thoughts on Sunderland’s bid to be UK City of Culture 2021 and/or are interested in writing a blog post for us then please do get in touch! You can contact us at info@sunderland2021.com
