Lewisham Will Be 2021's London Borough Of Culture

The Catford Cat will be celebrating next year, as it lives in the future Borough of Culture

Lewisham will be London’s Borough of Culture in 2021, followed by Croydon in 2023, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has announced.

Lewisham’s bid, titled Cultural Activism, championed themes of climate change and diversity. Events in the south London borough next year are set to include an artist-led tribute to the Rock Against Racism movement, and a climate change carnival.

2022 will be a ‘fallow year’ for the Borough of Culture title, after which, Croydon takes on the mantle in 2023. ‘Sustainability’ will be the theme here, including a ‘reuse and recycle’ fashion show.

Both boroughs will be awarded £1.35m to deliver a year-long programme of activities.

Brent is London’s current Borough of Culture

Brent currently holds the Borough of Culture title, with planned events for 2020 including a mile-long street party, and a new ‘anthem’ for London, to be performed at Wembley.

The first Borough of Culture was Waltham Forest, which took the title in 2019, and hosted over 1,000 cultural events, workshops and activities.