Capital of culture: Who should win?

Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell has announced the six UK cities which will battle it out to be named European Capital of Culture 2008.

They are Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Liverpool, Newcastle/Gateshead and Oxford.

The six were whittled down from an original list of a dozen by a 12-person committee which visited the competing cities to draw up the shortlist.

The shortlisted cities are automatically given the title of 'Centres of Culture' which can help them secure European and lottery funding.

The eventual winner will be announced by the prime minister in the spring of next year.

A recent poll showed that Birmingham had the greatest backing among the public, with Cardiff close behind and the joint Newcastle and Gateshead bid in third.

Which city do you think should be declared Capital of culture?

This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

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Your reaction

Newcastle/Gateshead deserves to win. The North East deserves some good publicity and regeneration from the tourism investment which would be triggered from gaining such an accolade. It is about time we outshone our southern counterparts for once.
Emma Koiston, England

Surely Oxford is world famous already?

Ava, London

I am very surprised that Oxford is up for this title. Surely Oxford is world famous already? So is Liverpool. Bristol's got a zoo, I suppose. Not exactly jumping with culture though. Cardiff has beautiful buildings, an excellent stadium and I recently visited the festival of music which was up to the standards of London's West End. It has to be Cardiff or Newcastle for me, though with six English cities, I don't think the odds are in Cardiff's favour.
Ava, London

I am disappointed that Canterbury was not listed. Anyone who has been to Canterbury must be amazed by the old streets and fantastic cathedral. Kent as a whole was behind it and I, like many others are starting to get fed up with being labelled as part of London. Kent and Canterbury are nearer to Europe then any other part and has more posibilities of attracting tourists as the history and infrastructure surpasses any other in the country.
Michael Whitehead, England

Newcastle / Gateshead is somewhere new: where there used to be neighbours divided by a river Tyne that might as well have been six miles wide, now there is a cultural centre united by the arch of the Millennium Bridge. It's a great achievement already, and it deserves recognition.
Jean Rogers, England

After living in London for 4 years and having been to most of the cities on the shortlist, it was with immense pleasure and pride that I returned home to a truly different and even more beautiful city in Newcastle! Anyone who has been actually been here, cannot deny the brilliant people, culture, attractions, and history make it a true capital of culture! Newcastle gets the smart (and my) vote.
Abi Conway, England

Go for it Liverpool you have a great deal to offer

Gary Burrows, Manchester, UK

My vote has to go to Liverpool. This city would do Britain proud as the European Capital of Culture 2008. As the Commonwealth games proved in the summer the North West knows how to put on a show. So go for it Liverpool you have a great deal to offer.
Gary Burrows, Manchester, UK

Newcastle/Gateshead has had the most spectacular cultural resurrection in the last decade or so, and is now a place with everything. It should win, provided it stops confusing "culture" with boozing and ugly behaviour (All this "party city of Europe" nonsense that the local press are so fond of emphasising!)
Stewart Deas, UK

Born a Geordie, I've lived and worked in all the short-listed cities including Cardiff for 10 years. All the cities have their icons but only Cardiff/Wales(don't forget it's the only capital among the contenders) has the supporting network of community rooted cultural activity and history to make the title real and meaningful. Why aye man, it's got to be Cardiff.
Trevor Gough, Wales

As someone who has just moved from Gateshead to Oxford after 20 years in the North East, I believe that Newcastle/Gateshead should be chosen. The changes in the last few years have been phenomenal and the imagination and vision that has been demonstrated are astounding. I would thoroughly recommend a visit to all!
Helen G, England

Newcastle has had an amazing transformation over the last decade or so, especially down the quayside. I remember as a child how dirty and run down this area used to be back in the eighties. Now that Gateshead riverside has also had a revamp giving a mirror-like image over the river along with the millennium bridge, we must be one of the top contenders in the world, let alone Europe! Lets remind everyone once again for England's most northern city, that life certainly aint grim nor cold or desolate up north!!
Andrew Simpson, England

Newcastle Gateshead has had the most spectacular resurrection.

Nigel Underwood, UK

The competition has created much needed development and investment in all of the cities in the running for the award, so there are many who benefit. As to the winner, it will be Newcastle Gateshead since it has had the most spectacular resurrection.
Nigel Underwood, UK

This contest should be renamed for what it really is: Most Re-generated City in the UK. To call it capital of culture is a fallacy. London is the capital of culture in the UK since it has a unique position in the history of the UK and has benefited from funding and bias which no other city has enjoyed.
Mehboob, England

I think that the negative comments about Birmingham on this page are the very reason that the European City of Culture should be Birmingham. Many people in the rest of the UK have never visited the city and have a very outdated image of it, mainly promoted by the (South Eastern) media.
John, UK

Bradford should have been short listed. Bradford's bid was more about people - people of all cultures and traditions- and how those people could be engaged in the process of cultural transformation leading to pride in the city and the district. Just why this was not appealing enough to the judges we may never know.
yk, UK

Oxford has its problems, but from a purely cultural perspective, it takes some beating.

Dan, UK

Oxford gets my vote. Not only does it have the oldest English language speaking university in the world, but has been associated with everything from the promotion of the Catholic church to the Morris Minor. It has educated 25 British Prime Ministers, and is home to some of the most respected museums, art galleries and cultural projects in the country, not to mention some of the most stunning architecture. Like most places, Oxford has its problems, but from a purely cultural perspective, it takes some beating.
Dan, UK

My vote goes to Newcastle-Gateshead, not only because of the success of big projects such as the Millennium Bridge, but because of the encouragement being given to participation at the community level. There are so many brilliant things happening up here already, with more to come - for example the Centre for the Children's Book will be moving to its permanent home in Newcastle soon.
Dulcie Pettigrew, UK

Having lived in both Liverpool and Bristol, and grown up near Birmingham I consider myself to be a good judge of the three! I would pick Liverpool with no hesitation, there's just always something to do there!
Christopher Knight, UK

Birmingham has earned this. The negative image people have is destroyed as soon as you visit the city. However Birmingham is starting to rival London in some areas (more and more shows are moving from the capital to venues like the NEC and many people felt the new national stadium should have been built there). Londoners resent this (by mocking the city) and I think are unlikely to give Birmingham the vote.
Matthew, UK

There's a real buzz going on up here

Chris, Newcastle, UK

Despite not being the most popular or even acknowledged city on the UK map, Newcastle (and Gateshead) is certainly at the top of the "culture" list. Anyone who's been here knows they'll get a warm welcome and a cheeky grin. You can see world class theatre, film and music, you can see key British landmarks (Millennium Bridge, Baltic Flour Mill, Angel of the North, St James' Park), enjoy the beauty of the regenerated old city (Grainger St has the best Georgian architecture anywhere north of Bath) and basically this city thrives on fun and enjoyment. There's a real buzz going on up here - the rest of you out there have a chance to enjoy it for yourselves.
Chris, Newcastle, UK

The Newcastle Gatheshead bid is inspirational. It has got the whole region behind it.
David Frame, England

I am sick to death of people continually harping on about Liverpool and the Beatles. Surely there must be some other historical/cultural elements. If the memory of what amounted to a boy-band is the only thing Liverpool has to offer, what on earth is it doing in this list. The history of Liverpool goes back to beyond the 1960's you know!
Andrew, England

How can it be possible for anyone to consider anywhere other than Newcastle Gateshead? The hospitable and generous spirit of the region is internationally known and the achievements in partnership developments in recent years, in my opinion, are outstanding. The Angel, Baltic, Music Centre, Millennium Bridge, Quayside etc.If you think Tyneside is a great party town now - just wait until you see what will be on offer when it wins this award!
Paul Carswell, England

I reckon that Bristol is by far the better candidate. The picture on this site for Newcastle is the worst I've ever seen. Vote for Bristol. The home of Wallace and Gromit! Need I say more!?
Claire Cooper, Newcastle, UK

Newcastle/Gateshead should be the winners as they are linking the north with the south with their cultural awareness.
Christina Rickelton, England

There's no better or more deserving City than Cardiff

Mike Doel, Wales

There's no better or more deserving City than Cardiff for this honour. We're Europe's youngest capital and have a vibrant and diverse local culture that should be celebrated more widely. Don't take our word for it, come and see!
Mike Doel, Wales

Since arriving in the UK in 1990 I have lived in Birmingham, Cardiff, Newcastle and Liverpool. I think Birmingham should win because that is the only city I have lived in where I have never been pick pocketed!!!
Chris Andrew, Iceland

I think that Birmingham is worthy from the shortlist, and needs to step out of the shadows. I would have happily championed Bristol's cause for the same reason; it's a shame to waste such rich history.
Giles Hawker, UK

The North East is an under estimated asset of the country

Richard Dorkin, UK

Quite simply, the North East (Newcastle, Gateshead) of England is an under estimated asset of the country with more to offer the international traveller as well as locals.
Richard Dorkin, UK

I think that Liverpool has the strongest bid. Just look at what Liverpool has in terms of cultural heritage. In sport, there is Liverpool and Everton football clubs as well as the Grand National. There are two Cathedrals, The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, The Beatles, Art Galleries, Museums and over 300 night clubs. In architecture, Liverpool has more Georgian buildings than Bath, the famous waterfront and the Liver Building, plus some of the friendliest people in the world.
Justin Theed, UK

Even if we do get tourists here, due to the public transport system, they won't actually see anything

Simon, Bristol

I couldn't agree more with Karen, Bristol. I too live in Bristol and agree that it shouldn't have been short listed. Even if we do get tourists here, due to the public transport system, they won't actually see anything. There are two or three places of cultural interest but if it's drugs, street crime and Saturday night rabble culture you're after then you couldn't do much better. Apart from that, there's precious little culture going on here.
Simon, Bristol

Newcastle/Gateshead should definitely win. The amount of new developments has been amazing: the Angel of the North, the Baltic, the Millennium Bridge, the Gateshead Music Centre that is currently being built, plus many other smaller projects. Also the regeneration of the centre of Newcastle and Grainger Town has restored the older parts of the city. Plus excellent public transport and infrastructure - with many more projects completed in time for 2008 - this is a chance for Newcastle Gateshead and the north-east to continue its regeneration.
Andrew Parkinson, UK

With a blend of culture created in Ireland, Wales, England, China, Africa and beyond, coupled with its vibrant youth scene, and outstanding Victorian architectural backdrop Liverpool would be a very fitting European City of Culture. This is without mentioning the eight renowned National Museums and Galleries, world famous steeplechase, and unprecedented success in popular music and the football.
Mark, UK

I would definitely vote Cardiff. It is a lovely city with some world class attractions, the millennium stadium, the Welsh National Opera and the magnificent bay area. It is a city that embraces Welsh and British culture with a great sense of pride and individuality that sets it apart from the rest of the competition.
Helen Shorey, England UK

Belfast should have got through

Rich, UK

Belfast should have got through. It is an amazing city and the people are really, really friendly, much more so than in England where everyone is miserable and moody all the time!
Rich, UK

The words 'Birmingham' and 'culture' don't seem to work together really, unless you're talking about curry.
Chris, UK

As someone who has lived abroad for many years, I can tell you that Liverpool is by far the highest profile city of all the shortlisted ones worldwide. Its history, architecture and importance both socially and politically in shaping world events for the past 400 years make it the obvious choice. Furthermore, its regeneration from what was once the worlds largest port to the modern city of today is best showcased by becoming the next Capital of Culture.
Mike, England

Am I the only one who thinks this issue is about as irrelevant as the appalling Eurovision Song Contest?
Charles, UK

Newcastle and Gateshead should be awarded Capital of Culture. The area has developed so strongly in the past decade, especially with the redevelopment of the Quayside on both sides of the Tyne. Let the rest of the UK (and Europe) know that there's more to the region than just industry and football.
Helen, Newcastle, UK

The criteria for winning appears to be linked to which cities have the greatest need for development

Fiona, England

This contest is a joke. Who as a tourist would want to go to Birmingham, Newcastle or Liverpool or Gateshead? This competition was an opportunity to display the best the UK has to offer, but instead the criteria for winning appears to be linked to which cities have the greatest need for development. Why did Brighton with all it has to offer not get shortlisted?
Fiona, England

Not that I'm being biased or anything, but I really do think that Newcastle/Gateshead should get it, and make people realise that it isn't "grim up north"! I will say one thing though, I wish the Baltic would sort their exhibitions out, I hope the last couple of disasters were just teething problems!
Phoebe, Newcastle

Birmingham without a doubt. Birmingham is the best example of a regenerated city, correcting the mistakes of the 60s and it has broad base of cultural activity for every culture.
Janine, UK

I don't care who wins it, but please don't pick Bristol. I lived there for nine months, and although the clubs are great, I saw little evidence of "culture".
Tom Cooper, UK

The city shines with pride

Iain Rawlins, UK

Having had the [mis]fortune of visiting the six shortlisted cities there is only one I feel is worthy of the title - Birmingham. The new look Brum is a haven compared to its concrete heyday. The city shines with pride and they at least deserve some reward for getting rid of the awful old Bull Ring.
Iain Rawlins, UK

I come from Oxford, but recognise that Liverpool probably has the depth of culture and history fitting for this award.
Jamie, UK

The idea of Birmingham as a city of culture will at least show that we Brits have a sense of humour!
Richard Cotton, London, UK

Newcastle has the charisma, facilities and infrastructure to put on the best show, and the associated economic benefits will be more apparent in what is still a relatively isolated and economically depressed region.
Mark Wilson, UK

My choice is Cardiff, not just because I am Welsh, but because we have a wealth of musical and theatrical talent here and the most attractive city centre buildings in the UK.
Sylvia Woolhouse, Wales

Oxford has to be prime candidate, truly cosmopolitan, a mix of the modern and the traditional and masses of cultural history.
Dave, UK

None of the entries even come close to being a worthy winner for the culture champion of Europe. Putting Birmingham or Bristol next to the Madrids, Pragues, Londons or Romes on a list of cultural cities just makes me laugh.
Scott, UK

It's got to be Birmingham

Katy, UK

It's got to be Birmingham. Good choice of theatres, the free arts festival every September, all the shows at the NEC and NIA, the Royal Ballet, art galleries such as the Ikon, need I go on? I lived in Cardiff for a year and it was no comparison, and as for the other contenders, don't make me laugh.
Katy, UK

When you live abroad as I have done for the last twenty years you appreciate things that others in UK don¿t see. Liverpool for its theatre, music, galleries and street culture, as well as architecture and a great multi-racial atmosphere is second to none. It has the big city feel that some of the small-town pretenders just don't possess.
Ian, Italy

Birmingham for sure, because despite having amazing cultural resources it still suffers from an outdated negative image. Cardiff and Newcastle have reputations as up-and-coming places, Liverpool has had its day, Bristol is quite secure in its cultural life and Oxford is complacent (and the last thing it needs is more tourists!). Give Brum a chance and let Europe see what Britain's second city has to offer!
Ricky Wright, UK

Brighton would have been by far the coolest choice but unfortunately was left off the shortlist.
Giles Goodall, Belgium

As a resident of Bristol I am astonished that we should be in the running

Karen, Bristol, England

As a resident of Bristol I am astonished that we should be in the running. We have second rate theatres, second rate concert halls, cinemas are closing down rapidly, the central exhibition centre closed several years ago. We have truly awful public transport 'services' and appalling traffic congestion. Street crime and vandalism are sky high and we are the drugs capital of the south of England. City of Culture? I don't think so.
Karen, Bristol, England

Having grown up in Newcastle, I went back to check out the Baltic Flour Mill and the new bridge which are the centre pieces of the joint bid with Gateshead. But it's all too 'incomplete' to be awarded the Capital Of Culture. For instance, all around Gateshead is building work to make it look better for the bid - but it's only just starting, it's not complete yet. Gateshead also has far too much derelict waste ground near the main attractions to be given the prize. I think Birmingham might win.
Alistair, UK

Without a doubt, Cardiff deserves this. She is the youngest of Europe's cities, and the Capital of Wales. Indeed, she is the only Capital city remaining in the competition. The title will bring European recognition for the unique culture of Wales. It will highlight the differences with her larger neighbour and help ensure that Welsh culture and the Welsh language be preserved. There is no question; Cardiff should be the next Capital of Culture.
Huw Thomas, UK