Er, thats not working. Think the link you want is here

And obviously birmingham should win, because i live here and i like it. Not a well reasoned argument, i admit.
The only other city i really know of those listed is Cardiff, where i lived for a year. A very nice place, but i found it too small after living here (though Chapter, the arts theatre and cinema i loved to bits).
I use the arts cinema's and the theatre's here fairly regularly, i think the cbso and the symphony hall are very well regarded though classical music isn't my thing. For me, Birmingham had a great choice of culture available and i'm trying to make use of it

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by Watcher girl
Er, thats not working. Think the link you want is here

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Ta

Um, none of them?

Bradford was on the shortlist for a while, and although its my local nominated city etc, I'm glad it didn't make the final because even though it may boast the greatest range of cultures in any one city, its certainly not the most cultured city in the world!

I really don't mind who wins - Im rather glad it isnt London because if you live anywhere else in the UK you'll know that London gets all the good stuff and nowhere else gets *any*

Well, Newcastle and Gateshead of course, Newcastle being my home city and all.

Apart from the vibrant nightlife that we have (and i can't afford these days ), we have the largest indoor shopping centre in Europe in Gateshead Metrocentre, we have some beautiful architecture, especially just off the Quayside, friendly people, and with the opening of the Baltic, a burgeoning cultural scene. It's not all Brown Ale, alotments and whippets up here y'know

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by Keenangel
It's not all Brown Ale, alotments and whippets up here y'know

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LOL, and i'd like to clear up that its not all shell suits and bad moustaches up here!!

Obviously I'm going to say Liverpool lol, not just because I was brought up there and live like 2minutes away, but I think thats its got so much going for it right now and it'd be a big boost for the city. I do *love* Cardiff aswell though, its so pretty and theres loads of dead good shops!(I know that the judges will be looking for more than being able to buy lots of Emily Strange stuff though )

These were the final results:

Newcastle - 52,241 votes
Liverpool - 51,514
Birmingham - 20,523
Bristol - 17,111
Cardiff - 13,834
Oxford - 10,753

Although there were rumours of Pop Idol style phone problems

I think whichever of the top two get it will deserve it. Obviously I'd like Liverpool to win. What they showed last night was just a minute percentage of what's going on here, although I'm sure that's the same with all the nominees, and an independant survey showed that Liverpool would get the most benefit out of winning the title. I've been to Newcastle a number of times and it's a fantastic city, reinventing itself over the past few years much like Liverpool has.

well obviously i think liverpool should win
funny, im striving so hard to get out of here for uni....but i really do love this ol' place, go liverpool!

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by DJ Billy
These were the final results:

Newcastle - 52,241 votes
Liverpool - 51,514
Birmingham - 20,523
Bristol - 17,111
Cardiff - 13,834
Oxford - 10,753

Although there were rumours of Pop Idol style phone problems

I think whichever of the top two get it will deserve it. Obviously I'd like Liverpool to win. What they showed last night was just a minute percentage of what's going on here, although I'm sure that's the same with all the nominees, and an independant survey showed that Liverpool would get the most benefit out of winning the title. I've been to Newcastle a number of times and it's a fantastic city, reinventing itself over the past few years much like Liverpool has.

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@ Pop Idol comment

I was very surprised to hear the Newcastle/Gateshead lead the vote. I had expected it to be either Liverpool or Birmingham. The local press here have been covering this for months now and there has been a ton of press on last night's votes. The final vote/decision is in June, so may the best city win

well id love and hate it if cardiff won, love cos it would be a pride thing and wed get more investment in my city but hate it cos so far the things that bring the people in like the millenium stadium have turned cardiff into a crappy place to have fun. every few weeks we have a surge of footy fans who turn everywhere into one big cattle market. no offense to the majority of footy fans here but it only takes a minority to spoil the atmosphere.

I like Keenangel am also supporting Newcastle, despite there being too many Soccer fans here so it can hardly be culture.

I hate coursework, I missed nearly a terms worth of lectures and now they want essays in a week, and I can't find the course online. Must do better on my next masters.

I'm happy today

I have just come back from the Baltic Art Centre were I attended the commiserations party. Newcastle/Gateshead were truley robbed of that title, and we are so gutted up here in the north east I cannot express it.

Mintyx

ahhh it was really close n all, but obviously the better city won it on the day

go liverpool, its yo' birthday
im so pleeeeased
(sorry!)

One question. Why would anyone care? I've never seen the point of the whole European City of Culture malarkey. Would you really alter your travel plans based on what city was awarded this? Book a Holiday in Santander or Nice rather than Barcelona or Paris, if they were to win the award?

Or am I just a curmudgeonly old git?

What about Swindon? They missed Swindon out. It's one classy place...

Newcastle should have got it. Though admitedly it has been problematic finding a good resturant that is open at 10 pm Sunday night. All the good ones seem to have really limited hours.