City of Culture legacy events to celebrate nature

A huge floral carpet and hundreds of instruments on the moors will form part of an arts programme celebrating nature, announced by the organisation behind Bradford City of Culture 2025.

The events are designed to celebrate "the relationship between people, place and nature", according to the Bradford Culture Company (BCC) while showcasing the "incredible beauty" of the district.

The programme includes the UK premiere of Flower Carpet - a living artwork of more than 300,000 dahlia flower heads in Centenary Square.

BCC executive producer Jane Earnshaw said there had "never been a more important time to shine a spotlight on our environment".

"By encouraging audiences to experience art and creativity in nature, we're not only showcasing the incredible beauty of our district, but also helping to increase people's understanding of how significant these spaces are and why they should be protected for future generations," she said.

Inspired by Bradford's industrial growth and textile heritage, local artist Shiraaz Ali's 95ft (29m) wide Flower Carpet incorporates archival patterns and symbols, and will be illuminated with sound and light each night.

It will be in Centenary Square from 24 to 27 September, and at the end of the event the dahlias will be composted.

From 9 to 13 September more than 200 nature-powered instruments will perform on Baildon Moor.

Harmonic Fields has been created by composer Pierre Sauvageot and has previously been performed in Copenhagen, Marseille and Helsinki.

The mix of woodwind, string and percussive ensembles will be played by both the elements and by 'wind farmer' characters.

Local artists have also been invited to take part in three-month residencies during which they will be invited to respond to the Bradford Pennine Gateway National Nature Reserve.

The conservation site was created in March 2025, as part of a series of nature reserves to mark the coronation of King Charles III.

In September, an 18-mile walking route will be opened to allow hikers to see the landscape.

Visitors will be able to walk from Ilkley Moor through Baildon Moor, Shipley Glen, Trench Meadows, Bingley North Bog, St Ives, Harden Moor and ending at Penistone Hill above Haworth.

Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin said the programme would allow visitors to see and appreciate nature.

"By embedding talented artists in our beautiful landscapes, this programme is an innovative way to encourage people to enjoy art and nature together and discover the beauty right here on our doorsteps," she said.

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.