Cultural tourism phenomenon in Belfast City Centre
Take a walk past City Hall in Belfast any day of the week and there are clear signs thatÌý cultural tourism here is thriving.ÌýThe numbers ofÌýtour promoters, in brightly coloured jackets and caps,ÌýwavingÌýfliers to get visitors on busesÌýseem to multiplyÌýby the day.ÌýThey're even beginning to outnumber the Goths and EMOs who perch on the benches outside City Hall.
I fell in behind a tour party recently just to eavesdrop onÌýwhat the tour guide was saying. She was pointing to her right,Ìýto the Northern Bank building.ÌýAs I got closerÌýI heard her tell theÌýparty that this was where theÌýinfamous bank heist had happened! The cameras were clicking as I walked on by.
It got me thinking about what cultural tourism is and how it is still an evolving thing.ÌýÌýTonight I am talking to artist Lesley Cherry who, tomorrow morning will see the unveiling ofÌýa new artwork as part of the Lower Shankill Community Association's Re-imaging Communities Programme. It's calledÌý"Nothing About Us Without Us Is For Us".
The project was funded by the , led by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. It's one ofÌý155 projects which have been given money throughÌýthe Reimaging Communities Programme, "to restore"Ìýit saysÌý"pride to local neighbourhoods and moving Northern Ireland towards a normal, inclusive and stable society."
The idea toÌýtransform theÌýcultural landscape, but is that what the cultural tourist wants to bring home? Ìý
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