Hull City of Culture opening event announced

Performers dressed as angels take part in the Place des Anges spectacle in Hull in June. Credit: Danny Lawson/PA Wire

Organisers of Hull UK City of Culture 2017 have announced the opening event to the city's year in the spotlight.

They promise a sight and sound spectacular which tells the story of the last 70-years of Hull and will see the streets 'speak'.

Ahead of plans for the first season of the programme being announced later today, details of ‘Made in Hull’, curated by award-winning, Hull-born documentary filmmaker Sean McAllister, have been revealed.

Renowned for thought-provoking work, including the BAFTA nominated 'A Syrian Love Story',and compelling documentaries on the life of this city, Sean McAllister has brought together a world-class team to produce the free event, to which everyone is invited.

This major new commission will use the city as a canvas and include large-scale projection, illuminated skylines, soundscapes, shop windows and live performance through the city over the course of seven evenings. Over 10 artist commissions will bring seven decades of the city to life, through good times and hard times, from the devastation of the Second World War to the shipping heritage, from sport to clubbing.

The Made in Hull creative team includes Hull writer and theatre director Rupert Creed, who has worked in the industry for over 30 years across the North of England; another local Durham Marenghi, the internationally renowned lighting designer who recently designed the lighting for the Rio Olympic Games Opening ceremony; Dan Jones, the Bafta winning sound designer and composer; and acclaimed production designer and RIBA chartered architect Ala Lloyd, who has worked on large scale projects across the world.

In addition, local and international artists are being commissioned to create new work as part of Made in Hull.

Thousands stripped off for the living art installation, Sea of Hull, which celebrated Hull's 2017 City of Culture status Credit: Press Association

The first night will culminate in a New Year's Day fireworks fired at 20:17 that will light up the night sky above the Humber, signalling the start of Hull 2017's year in the spotlight.

Everyone is invited to Made in Hull, which runs each evening from 4pm to 9pm from 1 to 7 January 2017. It is a free event and does not require a ticket.