Another super read! Wouldn’t it be great if more cities adopted the ‘City of Curiosity’ concept? As a former information professional it does my heart good to learn that libraries are not going down without a fight. Zadie Smith wrote an excellent piece in praise of the British Library in yesterday’s Guardian. Here’s to an increasing public curiosity and those who work to provide the answers to our questions!
So many cities could learn from Hull. And so many of us could do with more curiosity and less judgement. I have bookmarked your piece to read again and think about more - it brings a lump to my throat.
An excellent post that leaves me wanting to visit Hull. I can think of so many small towns in the U.S., including the one where I live now, that could use the concept of creating a legacy as a model - of enlightenment, growth and development, improvement of people's lives. This is a place to believe in.
Thank you so much Maureen! Read the Nat.Geo piece about it, and please do visit if you are ever in the UK. I'll send you a list of the things to do and see. It's worth it!
As a University of Hull alumnus and a fan of Graham Chesters - and you, of course, Rosie - thank you for this piece and all your hard work as Chair. And I echo Martin Hodges: “City of Curiosity” what a stroke of genius …. Bravo!
Sorry - wading in again. Hull libraries used to have a telephone information service that you could just call in and ask them a question (in the days before the internet). I wonder if the memory of that was behind Curiosity?
It might well have been, and typical of Hull to have an interesting telephone offer. Along with the cream boxes, another example of the city's independence.
The city of my heart. I love it - its particular smell, its almost Danish accents, its fantastic public buildings (including the Victorian loos) and its extraordinary history of being ultimately on the right side of everything. Go everybody! Rosie is right. You won’t be disappointed.
What a great read, thank you Rosie. I live perhaps only an hour or so from Hull and yet I've never been or even thought to go. I probably do have quite an ingrown snobby attitude to the city but this has made me think I should give it a chance
Another super read! Wouldn’t it be great if more cities adopted the ‘City of Curiosity’ concept? As a former information professional it does my heart good to learn that libraries are not going down without a fight. Zadie Smith wrote an excellent piece in praise of the British Library in yesterday’s Guardian. Here’s to an increasing public curiosity and those who work to provide the answers to our questions!
Thank you Martin. Libraries are phenomenal institutions.
Thank you, Rosie. You’re a great ambassador for our unusual city, a place that lets you create.
So many cities could learn from Hull. And so many of us could do with more curiosity and less judgement. I have bookmarked your piece to read again and think about more - it brings a lump to my throat.
Thank you so much Philippa. It really was a game changer for the city.
An excellent post that leaves me wanting to visit Hull. I can think of so many small towns in the U.S., including the one where I live now, that could use the concept of creating a legacy as a model - of enlightenment, growth and development, improvement of people's lives. This is a place to believe in.
Thank you so much Maureen! Read the Nat.Geo piece about it, and please do visit if you are ever in the UK. I'll send you a list of the things to do and see. It's worth it!
Enjoyed this heartening and hopeful piece, almost as much as I enjoyed visiting Hull in 2017.
Terrific! What did you see?
Great piece loved it.
Absolutely agree! I too was in that square crying at the opening ceremony in 2017. Hull is a special place.
That is so lovely to hear. Hope you loved the rest of the Year as much!
As a University of Hull alumnus and a fan of Graham Chesters - and you, of course, Rosie - thank you for this piece and all your hard work as Chair. And I echo Martin Hodges: “City of Curiosity” what a stroke of genius …. Bravo!
Thankyou David!
Sorry - wading in again. Hull libraries used to have a telephone information service that you could just call in and ask them a question (in the days before the internet). I wonder if the memory of that was behind Curiosity?
It might well have been, and typical of Hull to have an interesting telephone offer. Along with the cream boxes, another example of the city's independence.
The city of my heart. I love it - its particular smell, its almost Danish accents, its fantastic public buildings (including the Victorian loos) and its extraordinary history of being ultimately on the right side of everything. Go everybody! Rosie is right. You won’t be disappointed.
Great to meet a fellow devotee!
What a great read, thank you Rosie. I live perhaps only an hour or so from Hull and yet I've never been or even thought to go. I probably do have quite an ingrown snobby attitude to the city but this has made me think I should give it a chance
Please do! Book March 2026 in and come and see Opera North perform The Marriage of Figaro in the beautiful New Theatre.
🥰❤️🥰