BRADFORD has so much to be proud of from its history, with many things it can boost and brag about that it gave to the world.
Here is just a selection of six of them, why not write your own in the comments section below.
Home to first permanent IMAX in Europe
Bradford made cinematic history in 1983 and at the then named National Museum of Photography, Film & Television.
Although the first IMAX projection system had been built in 1970, Bradford's was first of its kind in the UK, and the first permanent installation in Europe.
Its giant (19.7metre x 15.9m) screen was the biggest in Britain and filled the entire front wall of the cinema.
The first film screened in IMAX was To Fly!, a documentary made in 1976 about the history of flight, from early balloons through to space missions. It was the only film the facility screened for the following 15 months.
IMAX at the museum is still going strong today, which in non-pandemic times, hosts the biggest film releases of the day.
Hosted the first and largest Mela in Europe
Bradford Mela is a large scale celebration principally of South Asian culture.
Mela from Sanskrit means ‘a gathering’ or ‘to meet’ and in the UK Melas provide an opportunity for communities to come together to celebrate and share their cultures.
The Mela was set up in 1988 and in its early years regularly attracted over 100,000 people.
Over the years the event has been held in Lister Park, Bowling Park and Peel Park, but after the 2012 Mela was cancelled due to heavy rainfall, the event was incorporated into the annual Bradford Festival.
In its early days, the Bradford Mela was the largest event of its type in Europe, but maybe the full event will make a comeback in the future?
City Park's largest water feature in the UK
The City Park water feature may currently be out of action, but it is the largest water feature in the UK.
Cast your minds back to summers of recent years when on hot days the area would be packed and people would cool off at the Mirror Pool.
City Park’s computer plays the 100 fountains, laser lights, mist and water effects.
Bradford Pals
Heroes from our city, every one of them.
Of the 1,400 Bradford Pals who went over the top at 7.30am on the morning of 1 July 1916, during the First World War, an estimated 917 became casualties, of which over 230 died on the battlefield or of wounds during the following days.
Kiki Dee and Motown
The Little Horton-born singer was the first female singer from the UK to sign with Motown’s Tamla Records.
Former Boots in Bradford worker Dee is best known for 'Don't Go Breaking My Heart', her 1976 duet with Elton John.
Bradford was the first City of Film
Bradford beat off stiff competition from Los Angeles, Cannes and Venice to be named the world's first UNESCO City of Film on June 8, 2009.
This permanent title gives the city international recognition as a world centre for film because of the city’s rich film heritage and its inspirational movie locations.
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