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Cultural City of Sanctuary

In 2025, Bradford was the UK’s City of Culture and in April 2025, Bradford was recognised as the first ever Cultural City of Sanctuary.

Our friends at Stand and Be Counted Theatre worked closely with the Bradford 2025 team to ensure that the year’s events were inclusive for people seeking sanctuary in Bradford.  

This included:

  • Considering how events are made affordable and accessible, so sanctuary seekers can take part as audience members.
  • Creating opportunites for sanctuary seekers to take part as volunteers.
  • Commissioning events and exhibitions where sanctuary seekers tell their own stories as contributing artists – such as Bradford Friendship Choir at Rise and Basel Zaraa’s Moomins80 art.
  • Working with charities around the district to create opportunities for sanctuary seekers to get involved as creative participants.
Photo: Telegraph and Argus

Our Director Tina said, ‘We are so proud that Bradford and BD25 hold the title as the first Cultural City of Sanctuary. Bradford has a long history of welcoming asylum seekers, refugees and new arrivals and has proudly held ‘City of Sanctuary‘ status for 15 years. The opportunities that BD25 presents are so exciting – not only for this year but for 2026 and beyond. Being the first Cultural City of Sanctuary is a real honour and is a direct reflection of the diverse and vibrant communities that make Bradford the unique city that it is.‘ 

We will work with Bradford 2025 as they share their learning with future Cities of Culture to ensure that the impact is felt by sanctuary seekers in Bradford for many years to come.