Rotherham's Landmark Children's Capital of Culture Year Concludes with Spectacular Finale
A breathtaking 30-foot baby puppet, mesmerizing fiery installations, a magical bedtime story, and a youth-led live music takeover will bring Rotherham's groundbreaking year as the world's inaugural Children's Capital of Culture to an unforgettable close this Friday, March 20. The grand finale, titled The Birthday Party, will transform Rotherham town centre with a full daytime programme open to all, followed by a large-scale evening celebration commencing at 6pm.
Council Leader Hails Youth-Led Creative Legacy
Cllr Marshall, Cabinet Member for Street Scene and Green Spaces, expressed immense pride in the event. "This finale will be like nothing Rotherham has ever witnessed before, serving as a fitting celebration of a remarkable year where young people have spearheaded creative initiatives," he stated. "The vibrant programme showcases their extraordinary talent and active participation, demonstrating our unwavering ambition for the brightest future for them in Rotherham. Children and young people are now firmly at the centre of our borough's cultural future."
Evening Celebrations: Fire, Music, and Storytelling
The evening festivities kick off at 6pm with family-friendly activities and a dramatic Fire Garden installation in Minster Yard. This captivating display features:
- Flaming sculptures and burning bushes
- Giant lotus flowers
- Extraordinary fire-powered kinetic artworks, including The Fire Bird and Bubbles of Love
At approximately 7pm, internationally acclaimed rapper OneDa will debut a brand-new anthem about Rotherham, co-written with local young people who will perform alongside her. From around 7:30pm, the main show begins in All Saints Square. Created by artistic directors Walk the Plank, this multisensory spectacle centres on a fantastical bedtime tale, 'Dreaming Up A Story,' journeying through a magical version of Rotherham.
Youth-Driven Artistic Production
Featuring large-scale puppetry, the story was written by young people collaborating with Grimm & Co, conceived by creative director Bev Ayre, and directed by Richard Babington. The performance is accompanied by original music from Patrick Dineen, projections by Illuminos, and pyrotechnic effects from Peter Finnegan. Bev Ayre, senior producer from Walk the Plank, emphasized: "Young people have shaped this finale from the very beginning. The Birthday Party is joyful, bold and unapologetically ambitious, just like Rotherham's children and young people. It's a moment of wonder that belongs entirely to them."
At 8pm, live music from Sheffield MC KDOT will bring the show to a dramatic conclusion. Grace Bower, 21, assistant creative producer, added: "Being part of Children's Capital of Culture has shown us that our voices matter. The finale is our story, our music and our celebration."
Daytime Programme: School Involvement and Exhibitions
During the day, local schools will gather at Rotherham Minster for a special choir workshop before heading to All Saints Square to meet The Baby, a stunning 30-foot puppet representing the 13 babies born on average each day at Rotherham Maternity Services. School children will present handmade birthday cards, sing to The Baby, and enjoy a lively performance of the theatre show The Queen of Hearts, as the puppet's toys burst into life through theatrical magic.
Throughout the day, Rotherham Minster will host exhibitions celebrating the borough's transformative year. Work by land artist James Brunt, created with children across the borough using natural materials, will be displayed alongside poetry inspired by the artworks. An original soundtrack by musician Caro C, developed with pupils from St Ann's Junior and Infant School, will fill the Minster with the hopes, dreams, and birthday wishes of Rotherham's young people.
A Celebration for the Next Generation
Residents and visitors are encouraged to arrive early and stay late for this landmark celebration—a spectacular birthday party for Rotherham and its next generation. This event not only marks the end of a historic year but also solidifies the enduring impact of youth-led creativity on the community's cultural landscape.
