Giant naan breads and taking on the doubters | Global News Avenue

As Bradford emerges as a British City of Culture, it not only seeks to show a different face to the rest of the country but also hopes to win over the city’s skeptics.

One of the first productions was a radio drama by broadcaster Nick Ahad, the subject of which was Bradford’s tarnished reputation.

“The working title for the show is ‘Bradford, City of Culture?!’ because we know that’s how people will react when they find out we’re going to be City of Culture in 2025,” he explains road.

Ahad eventually settled on the brilliant title Pilar and Ted’s Bradford Adventures, which On BBC Voices. One of the actors is Seeta Wrightson, a comedian from the city.

“I think it does get a bad rap, which is unfair. I think it’s because people don’t want to talk about good things in the news or on social media.”

Wrightson is not wrong.

The headlines about Bradford are often brutal. In recent months, news reports have declared it the darkest city in Britain (because it gets the least sunshine) and the second most miserable place to live.

Type “Why is Bradford so…?” into a search engine and see what happens. You may get the following autofill options – “Bad”, “Dangerous” and “Poor”.

This is not just the opinion of outsiders. Dr Paul Sullivan of the University of Bradford has researched this stigma. His hometown is Cork, Ireland, where comedians often poke fun at Cork’s inflated self-esteem. He found Bradford quite different.

“What’s surprising to me…is the almost lack of civic pride.

“Even reading the local newspapers some of the headlines can be very optimistic and underneath that is just a lot of commentary about, ‘This is a disaster, it’s never going to work, Bradford is doomed’.”

But Dr. Sullivan is a fan.

“I love the city. I fell in love with Bradford immediately. I love the city centre, the beautiful countryside. I was really surprised to see the level of negativity.”

Much of this, he believes, is rooted in an external, almost “ideological hostility” to the city’s racial diversity.

“I think people are unwilling to admit that Bradford can succeed. They’re eager for Bradford to fail.”

However, in the face of this confrontation, he felt something was developing.

In his recent interviews with residents, “there is a real sense of pride and belonging.”

Ahad and Wrightson also raised the topic. Diversity has become completely unremarkable.

“I’m Bangladeshi and British. My wife is Pakistani and Indian, you don’t need to explain that here,” Ahad said.

“It’s like 100 percent,” Wrightson added. “I’m mixed race, my mum is Indian and my dad is British. Growing up, it wasn’t a big deal.”

For many, City of Culture has become an opportunity to transcend problems and support diversity.

Actor and writer Natalie Davies, from Bradford, is writing a drama about the city’s nightlife.

“The stigma over the years is now behind us and that’s not the case at Bradford.

“I’m lucky. I’ve worked in TV, film, theater and radio and every time I go out there I’m always rooting for Bradford.

“It’s actually a great place and the thing is anyone from anywhere can come to Bradford and feel they belong and we stand by that. People come here and feel completely welcome.

“it’s beautiful.”

The City of Culture also provides an opportunity for people to learn about Bradford’s cultural history and the famous people who came from here.

These include artist David Hockney, playwright JB Priestley, composer Delius and the Brontë sisters.

“Emily Bronte, you take it for granted that she’s from Bradford,” Wrightson said.

For her, City of Culture is a moment to understand what is so special about the city. Time and time again, when speaking to young Bradfordians, some might mention the Brontës, the spectacular Victorian architecture, the first free school meals or diversity – and almost everyone seems to agree. Food is key in this city.

Of course, no two people seem to agree on where to get the best curry, but perhaps one of the most famous restaurants is Akbar’s, famous for its giant naan.

The family naan was designed to save space on the table, but it’s big enough to satisfy a Yorkshireman’s appetite.

“People have tried, but no one has succeeded,” said Samad Iqbal. He started working at Akbar’s restaurant at the age of 15 and is now an ambassador for the city that calls itself the “Curry City”.

“Some people call it elephant ears. Some people call it a Christmas tree. But this family naan has gone all over the world.

“I’m very proud of Bradford, I was born and raised here. It’s a wonderful place to live and a wonderful place to eat. Places like this show the true spirit of Bradford.”

It looks like Bradford 2025 is already starting to have results. Dr Sullivan said it encouraged people to talk positively about the city.

“In the last few years, we’ve seen a change. I’m speaking now of opinion rather than research, but I think we’ve seen a shift in civic pride and I think the catalyst to really make that happen will be Bra Telford 2025.”