Bradford’s tenure as the UK City of Culture in 2025 has started with a specular event, including magic from Steven Frayne, who told crowds how proud he was to come from the city.
Thousands of people braved bitter temperatures in City Park to watch a show specially created for the start of the year-long festival of art and creativity and involving more than 200 performers.
The RISE event was devised by Frayne – who was formerly known as Dynamo – with director Kirsty Housley, and the TV magician told the crowd how he started his career doing street magic exactly where they were all standing.
Let’s enjoy this moment. I am so proud to be from Bradford. Everywhere I go I tell everybody about it and I am never losing this Yorkshire accent
He told them: “All of my random ideas started right here in Bradford.
“If I can do what I have done, we can do anything.
“This year is going to be amazing.”
Frayne said: “Let’s enjoy this moment. I am so proud to be from Bradford.
“Everywhere I go I tell everybody about it and I am never losing this Yorkshire accent.”
Bradford is the fourth UK City of Culture, following Derry-Londonderry in 2013, Hull in 2017 and Coventry in 2021.
It was selected in May 2022 from a field of 20 bidding towns and cities.
