Leeds 2023: city to kick off year-long festival with ‘epic’ opening ceremony

Organisers plough on with plans after Brexit meant Leeds missed chance to be European capital of culture

When Leeds was denied its chance to become European capital of culture in 2023 due to Brexit, it should have been the killing blow to what it had been hoped would be a massive year-long cultural celebration.

But, refusing to be beaten, cultural leaders ploughed ahead regardless, and now almost a decade of planning and ideating will culminate on Saturday in the launch of Leeds 2023, the city-wide cultural festival.