Liverpool 08 and the performativity of identity.

This paper considers how Liverpool's year of European Capital of Culture (ECoC) with a focus on altering the image and perceptions of place allowed a heightened sense of awareness of local identity. Drawing on data gathered through ethnographic approaches at a small-scale arts workshop in the city centre and through considering visual imagery, stereotypes and myths of the city, the paper argues that image and identity are relationally different. Using theories of performativity and performance it finds that local people, due to the rebranding of the city and concerted efforts of promoting Liverpool during this year, are able to cite aspects of their cultural identity whilst leaving space for creativity and improvisation. The emergent process of identity performance and imaging a city are able to reflect upon one another creating a nuanced understanding of lived identities in the midst of a large-scale cultural event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]