LEICESTER'S BID FOR UK CITY OF CULTURE 2017

That this House welcomes the initial bid by Leicester to become the UK's City of Culture for 2017; notes it is a city of festivals with the largest celebration of Diwali outside of India and festivals for Eid, Vaisakhi and St George's Day; further notes that Leicester has many cultural attractions, an exciting creative and cultural quarter, famous theatres such as the Haymarket and Curve, and the Space Centre; further notes that Leicester is a city of brilliant diversity, culture and language; and calls on the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to give the city the title of City of Culture 2017.