The designation means that Coventry gains access to funding to improve its infrastructure and arts facilities, and will host a series of events celebrating local culture.

[3] Because of the important role of its factories in the Second World War, Coventry was devastated by bombing raids which destroyed a large number of buildings in the city centre.

[4] The city was rebuilt through the second half of the 20th century, but the decline of manufacturing in the UK hit Coventry hard; unemployment and poverty rose through the 1980s.

[6] It also has examples of buildings from many different periods of British architecture - from the timber framed houses on Spon Street to the Modernist Cathedral of St Michael.

[7] Several well-known writers were born or lived in Coventry including George Eliot, Angela Brazil, Debbie Isitt, Philip Larkin and Lee Child.

[10] Coventry beat the other four cities and towns on the shortlist and was declared the winning bid by Phil Redmond live on The One Show on 7 December 2017.

[22][23] Faith is a 24-hour-long piece of theatre that will take place in September, jointly produced by the Coventry City of Culture Trust and the Royal Shakespeare Company.

[25] An international exhibition at the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum exploring the role of the artist in response to natural history and climate change.