Jesse Jackson to take part in finale of 'Portrait of a Nation' event, which will be the biggest ever gathering of young people in Liverpool city for cultural debate.
REVEREND JESSE JACKSON will be in Liverpool next week to help celebrate young people's cultural heritage.
The influential US activist will join more than 500 teenagers from across the UK for the stunning culmination of Portrait of a Nation project - the biggest youth project of its kind.
St. George's Hall will come alive with artwork, music, comedy, podcasts and fashion as young people from 17 cities across the UK stage the spectacular two-day event.
The unique event, on 1 and 2 December, also involves a raft of high profile names including Culture Secretary, Andy Burnham MP, who will give the youngsters a red carpet welcome to the city.
Also taking part are CITV presenter Neil Buchanan, author and poet Lemn Sissay, Mike Gibbons from London 2012, Christina Coker Chief Executive of Youth Music and comedian Richard Blackwood who will listen to what the teens have to say by taking part in a Question Time style debate with them about culture and identity on Tuesday.
The finale is the climax of a two-year long project to encourage young people from across the UK to learn more about where they come from, talk about what makes their hometown so special, look at what culture and identity means to them and focus on their hopes for the future.
Throughout the two days the youngsters will be showcasing the best of their work as well as getting involved in workshops and taking centre stage in a debate which will pose questions such as: 'Is my identity my culture or the colour of my skin?', 'Hoodie or goodie: how do we feel about the way in which we're portrayed in the media?' and 'What does my heritage mean to me?'
It will culminate in a highlights performance in the Great Hall which is a ticketed event open to the public. The 45 minute performance will bring the young people's work to life and will be projected on to a huge specially installed giant screen (a similar size to the one opposite Lime Street Station) which will hang above the performers.
The project has been headed up by the Liverpool Culture Company and the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Phil Redmond, the Creative Director of the Culture Company, said: "Liverpool's Capital of Culture year is all about inclusivity - and Portrait of a Nation is a great example of this.
"It's fantastic that 17 cities, 12 of whom had each originally bid to become Capital of Culture, have joined us and as a result given young people in their communities the opportunity to go on a journey of discovery about themselves and their home town."
Leader of Liverpool City Council, Councillor Warren Bradley, said: "Liverpool is proud to have the voice of the nation's youth all under one roof. It will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of the 08 Calendar."
And it's not just people in Liverpool who will be able to enjoy the finale event. Using BBC Big Screens in each of the cities, a live feed on Tuesday (2 December) will show off some of the amazing work which has been produced by the young people.
Carole Souter, Chief Executive of the Heritage Lottery Fund, said: "The debate around Britishness and cultural identity has spread from Westminster to the street. Now it's the turn of young people to have their say.
"Through Portrait of a Nation, we have embarked on a 2 year long conversation, empowering teenagers right across the UK to explore where they come from, who they are and what they hope for the future. We've given them a voice to tell us what is important and their responses will create a Portrait of Our Nation as seen entirely through the eyes of young people."
Youth Music has also been working with young people from Liverpool, and composed new pieces of music including a track called 'Are you listening?' which will be performed at the finale event.
Members of the public can pick up free tickets for the public aspects of the two days which are:
1 December - 2pm to 6pm
Each city will be showing off their work in different rooms throughout the Hall and at different times. For a full schedule, go to www.liverpool08.com/participate where there is a timetable. When someone has decided what they want to see and when, they can reserve their free tickets by ringing 0151 233 2008 or emailing rsvp@liverpool.gov.uk.
2 December - 6.15pm to 7pm & 8.30pm to 9.15pm
Due to popular demand the finale event will be performed twice. Free tickets can be collected from the 08 Place, or by ringing 0151 233 2008 or emailing rsvp@liverpool.gov.uk.
Please be aware tickets are limited, so will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis.
Following the finale, it is hoped the Portrait of a Nation project will influence a formal cultural manifesto. This will play a part in the Ministry of Justice's wider discussions on citizenship and values. The aim is for all the organisations who were involved in helping the young people find their voice, to present the outcomes and next steps to the Government in the run up to 2012.
