People in Swansea are being urged to take part in one of the largest pieces of collective digital imagery in Wales to show their support for the city’s bid to become UK City of Culture 2021.

A #SwanseaIsCulture photo booth and promotional team will be travelling around the region over the next few weeks taking pictures of people showing their support for Swansea’s bid for UK City of Culture 2021 status in the run up to the announcement of the shortlisted cities in early July. The thousands of photos collected will form a #SwanseaIsCulture mosaic which it’s hoped will become one of the largest pieces of collective digital imagery in Wales. All photos taken will also appear on the campaign’s Facebook page – Swansea2021 – where people are also being encourage to upload their own photos at anytime using the hashtag #SwanseaIsCulture. The final #SwanseaIsCulture mosaic will be available to view on the Swansea2021 website and Facebook page.

Rob Stewart, leader of Swansea Council, said:

“We wanted to create a unifying way for people in Swansea to be a part of the city’s bid for UK City Of Culture 2021. The #SwanseaIsCulture digital mosaic is an opportunity for the public to share what Swansea means to them and to show their support for the bid. It is vital that the people of Swansea show their support, so we’re urging everyone in Swansea to get involved in backing the bid as it’s time to open our eyes to what we can offer here in Swansea. So, if you see our #SwanseaIsCulutre booth, get involved and have your photo taken! We want everyone to feel a part of Swansea’s bid and we look forward to unveiling the final mosaic.”

The #SwanseaIsCulture booth will be travelling around Swansea at various events over the next few weeks. Details of where the booth will be will be shared on the Swansea2021 Facebook page.

Swansea’s bid for UK City of Culture 2021 is being led by the Council, with the backing of local organisations including arts and cultural organisations, voluntary groups, The Swans, Swansea BID, both Universities and many more that recognise Swansea’s potential and are equally as keen to see the city succeed.

A successful bid would bring millions of inward investment to Swansea and would deliver an exciting year of innovative events that local people and visitors alike can experience and enjoy. It is estimated that the total City of Culture investment for Hull’s title this year will be over £100million, including £80million for capital and city centre improvements and £36million from a range of organisations such as Arts Council and Lottery, to stage the year-long programme of events and outreach activities as well as establish the long term legacy for the City.

Councillor Robert Francis-Davies, Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism and Major Projects, added:

“It genuinely feels like the foundations are now set for Swansea and it’s very exciting. We had great support when we bid for UK City of Culture the last time round and this is another fantastic opportunity to involve everyone and undertake something together as a city. The whole city needs to get behind this, not only because of the economic wealth it will generate, but because of the difference it will make to Swansea and Wales and our future generations.”

The Department of Culture, Media and Sport will draw up a shortlist in early July with final bids being submitted by the end of September, with a winner set to be announced in Hull in December 2017.

Join the campaign by following Swansea2021 (or Abertawe 2021 for Welsh speakers) on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.