Key to the City Satellite Key Exchange at The Core, Solihull

On the 8th of July, Birmingham 2022 Festival and Fierce Festival will be bringing internationally acclaimed artist, Paul Ramírez Jones’ Key to The City to the Core Theatre foyer in Solihull for a satellite Key Exchange site, from 11.00am – 7.00pm.

A Key to the City is traditionally presented to dignitaries or heroes by a mayor or council, as a symbolic way of honouring them and awarding them freedom to a city. This project envisions a world in which this privilege is awarded to everybody, not just a select few. These keys can be awarded for any reason, such as doing well in an exam, telling the funniest jokes, or being a lovely friend.

Since the 28th of May, thousands of keys to the city of Birmingham have been awarded in exchange ceremonies under the departure boards of Birmingham New Street Station. These Yale designed keys allow access to 21 locations across the city, that are not typically able to be visited, until the 7th of August.

From private gardens to underground tunnels, a locked museum drawer to a panoramic skyline view, opportunities to discover a secret menu as well as to witness daily worship – the Key to the City sites will bring a new perspective to the city. Designed as somewhat of a treasure hunt, a passport (included in each beautifully designed key box) will guide participants to each of the locations and give instructions on how to access each site.

Now, on the 8th of July, these key exchanges will be taking place in Solihull. In pairs, participants will partake in an informal ceremony, guided by Fierce Festival workers, in which they will award keys to each other. You can do this with a partner, a parent, a friend, a neighbour, or even someone you meet at in the Core foyer on your way to pick up your key. Then, after signing the ledger of Keyholders, the keys are officially handed over, and participants can go and explore the sites – one of which is very nearby.

This event is free to attend and requires no pre-registration. Participants must be 16+ in order to partake in the Key Exchange Ceremony.

For more information, please visit Key to The City’s Website – https://www.keytothecitybrum.org/

Fierce’s Website – https://wearefierce.org

and the Core’s What’s On page – https://www.thecoretheatresolihull.co.uk/whats-on/