Liverpool launches Waterfront Festival

Liverpool's impressive Albert Dock Waterfront

With no less than six UNESCO World Heritage Site accolades, it's little surprise that Liverpool has landed the title of Maritime Mercantile City.

In honour,  the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) will mark Liverpool's heritage as part of the 'Northwest Architecture Festival 2010.

Walk the Front Waterfront Architecture Festival launched this month on June 15th and the 11-day event  celebrates Liverpool’s globally recognised feats of engineering, design and inspirational architectural beauty.

Organisers of the Festival aim to highlight the importance of Liverpool’s past as a port city, reminding visitors of the fine mercantile and maritime heritage, plus how the city’s skyline was created.

Local architects will be conducting free Walk the Front tours of the key landmarks including the Three Graces at Pierhead, the recently rediscovered Old Dock, and the famous Liver Building.

Mushtaq Saleri of the Liverpool Architectural Society said: "What is less well known is that Liverpool is a city of firsts. It is wonderful that we are able to share and celebrate these achievements with the wider community."


The new Museum of Liverpool

The festival also looks to celebrate the contemporary waterfront with a lecture series at the new Museum of Liverpool, spotlighting the Albert Dock regeneration and the award-winning Echo Arena.

The RIBA Festival runs from June 15-26.

[source: Click Liverpool]