Norwich is a city full of stories – and today we are backing an appeal for people to share those tales and help champion this wonderful place.
The Evening News has teamed-up with the people behind a new 12-week campaign called City of Stories which attempts to collate in words and pictures all that is great about the city.
Over the next three months people will be challenged to draw upon their literary skills and gather their thoughts on a range of city related subjects.
Each week there will be a different theme for people to write about, including food, Norwich at night, iconic architecture, music and family activities.
Visit Norwich, which is running the campaign, and the Evening News, will then collate and share that work with the aim of tempting more visitors into Norwich, as well as enthusing locals to get out and enjoy what is on their doorstep.
Nick Bond, head of tourism at Visit Norwich, explained that the project was based around the city's strong literary traditions – as the only UNESCO City of Literature in England and home to the acclaimed UEA Creative Writing course.
'We're going to create a beautiful compendium of Norwich's very own story online, using social media and a campaign website – as well as holding events in the city during the life of the campaign,' he said.
'We're even creating a writing competition for people who love writing and love the city.
'It's an exciting and creative campaign which will really promote our wonderful city in all its glory.'
As part of the campaign, aimed to boost tourism and cement Norwich's reputation as a worthwhile place to visit, a host of events will be held across the city, relevant to each theme.
Free events will include readings, workshops and guided walks at places such as the Book Hive independent book shop, Jarrolds, Cinema City and at a dedicated City of Stories Corner at the Forum.
Professional writers and storytellers will also be commissioned to write their own work and there will be poetry written on beer mats and short stories about Norwich posted online.
Businesses from across the city are sponsoring the 12-themed weeks, along with principal backers Norwich Business Improvement District (BID).
Stefan Gurney, executive director of Norwich BID, said member businesses were passionate about promoting the city centre, and viewed City of Stories as a golden opportunity to 'shout about the city on a local and national level'.
He hoped the digital focus of the campaign would start conversations about what people love about the city, and help drive up visitor numbers.
'We've really been able to highlight the unique aspects of the city, and on a national level there are none that have that offer of literature that we do,' he added. 'It's a strong offer and gets the message out.'
He felt literature was Norwich's 'unique selling point'.
David Powles, assistant editor (editor digital) of the Evening News, said: 'As a paper and website we are all about championing everything that is so great about the city of Norwich – and this campaign chimes perfectly with that mantra.
'Hopefully the people of Norwich will get behind the campaign and come up with some creative ideas and stories.'
Content submitted as part of the campaign will appear on the special City of Stories website, at www.eveningnews24.co.uk and in the pages of this paper every Monday.
The theme for the first week is Through the Eye of the Beholder, putting Norwich's visual arts scene, film, performance art, fine art and theatre community in the spotlight.
The campaign will be officially launched tonight. See tomorrow's paper for a full report.
• There will be a theme per week over the 12-week run of City of Stories. They are...
Chapter one (August 18): Through the Eye of the Beholder
Chapter two (August 25): Spires and Ziggurats
Chapter three (September 1): Feasting in the Fine City
Chapter four (September 8): The City Built on Books
Chapter five (September 15): Independent Norwich
Chapter six (September 22): The Rhythm of the City
Chapter seven (September 29): Under the Moonlight
Chapter eight (October 6): The Baxters go to Norwich
Chapter nine (October 13): All Hail the Ale
Chapter 10 (October 20): A Night in the City of Spirits
Chapter 11 (October 27): Secrets and Surprises
Chapter 12 (November 3): A Norwich Christmas Carol
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