A few days ago Liverpool’s reign of capital of culture began. As an Liverpool University Alumnus, half scouser and somebody who has lived in the city for four years, I feel it is well deserved.
I was living in the city when the capital of culture was announced. It was my first year, we were sat in a mates car in Bootle Car Park eating a KFC, listening to the award ceremony on the radio. It was between Liverpool and Gateshead. And – surprise surprise – Liverpool won.
I’ll be honest, a bunch of my mates who have never been to Liverpool gave it stick, and I feel I should stand up and defend my second home. They say the obvious things, so in this post, here’s three reasons why I love Liverpool.
1. Sense of Humour
Liverpudlians have the best sense of humour out there, fact. I don’t think I have ever met a scouser who hasn’t made me chuckle, or I have not managed to get them to laugh. It’s a fantastic fun and – more importantly – harmless quality. The only thing they take the mick out of is themselves, and – whilst they poke fun at each other – they certainly don’t set out to humiliate them.
2. Crime – Or Lack Thereof
One thing everybody says about Liverpool is that “It’s full of Crime”. I’ll be honest, after 4 years living in University (of which we were one of the few students living in an area) I felt nothing too threatening. Sure you heard about it, but none of it was directed at me. The worst was getting gip off a woman who was urinating in a public place (she wanted me to turn my back on her, I averted my eyes but I’m not turning my back on anybody in a park late at night – I only realised why she was making such a noise when I got a little close. I apologised.). Compare that to – say – Colwyn Bay, and I’m surprised whenever I come home at night alive.
3. Everybody’s Simple
It may sound like a bad thing, but I’ve never met so uncomplicated people. They’re straight up, honest (by and large), and are loyal. They like having fun, and usually the first question you get is “Red or Blue?”. Surprisingly, I usually trust Liverpudlians more than most because I usually know where I stand with them.
With that said, I’m so glad Liverpool won Capital of Culture, and wish them the best of success. Ignore the naysayers, you guys bloody rock!
So, Red or Blue?
Comments: 5 Comments
Rhys Wynne, the author of this blog, is a 20 something web designer from Colwyn Bay. 
#4 – a significant Welsh population
I’m not sure any of the above, whilst possibly 100% true, mean that Liverpool is the most cultured city in Europe in 2008. I know that’s not what “Capital of Culture” means, but it is certainly a misleading title. I mean, whilst I’ve had some great drunken nights out in Liverpool, I don’t think you can really say that it beats cities like London, Paris, Madrid etc for access to art, theatre, music or museums.
What is culture though? Is it going to art galleries and theatres? I went to Rome and felt that the whole “Culture” was extravagent to the point that it was nauseating (the fact certain Roman’s don’t respect other cultures and the whole “Licenced Guides” did little to impress me). Whereas Oktobefrest, part of Bavarian “Culture” was something completely different.
Whilst Liverpudlian culture – whilst not famous for operas and museums – is not “traditionally culture”, I think the way in which the city embraces events as a whole (football aside) is refreshing and warm.
Besides, they beat Gateshead in the final, like that is cultural!
Aww – you’ve made me all nostalgic about my student days now!
I prefer Red -> the red devils though ,