There was crushing disappointment for Leeds leaders in 2017 when their dreams of the city being named European Capital of Culture in 2023 went up in smoke.
Due to the UK's vote to leave the European Union the previous year - a decision opposed by a narrow majority in Leeds itself - organisers ruled British cities could no longer bid for the annual honour.
But with the backing of local businesses and a public poll, city officials decided regardless of the official contest, they were going to organise a year celebrating the culture of Yorkshire's biggest city anyway.
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So less than five years later Leeds prepares to host its own year of culture, where organisers say the city of 800,000 people "will burst into life, fuelled by creativity and the aim of opening more opportunities for more people".
Hear one of the organisers of Leeds 2023 talk about the year-long extravaganza on The Northern Agenda podcast
Things kick off this Saturday (January 7) at Headingley Stadium with The Awakening, featuring live music, poetry, dance, comedy and more and artists including Corinne Bailey Rae, Leeds' youngest rock band Solar Jets and LYR, a band featuring British poet laureate Simon Armitage on vocals.
The three-part Leeds 2023 Year of Culture festival continues as 'Playing' from May to August and 'Dreaming' from September to December. Find out more about the event here.
Top picks include 'All That Lives', a reimagination of the Mexican Day of Dead (Dia de Muertos), in November and 'Smeaton 300', a magical mobile observatory inspired by Leeds-born astronomer John Smeaton will tour the city from June to December.
Abigail Scott Paul, Director of External Relations and Strategic Partnerships at Leeds 2023, told The Northern Agenda podcast that not being the official European Capital of Culture meant they could throw out the official rules and rethink their programme.
"We decided we wanted to celebrate everything that makes up the rich, diverse cultural life of Leeds," she said. "So that does include sports, food, everyday creativity, as well as of course, the arts and culture scene. We've got a really rich program that hopefully, there'll be something for everyone."
The Leeds 2023 business case document says there’s "extraordinary stuff in this city...some things we don’t even realise are here". And it adds: "So for one whole year we’re throwing open the doors and we’re making ourselves known."
A large proportion of events will be free or 'pay what you like' to make them as accessible as possible due to the support of private backers and there will be celebrations in all 33 city council wards.
Ms Scott Paul said: "I think it's fair to say that over the last three years, I've talked to lots of people and they do say that Leeds has hidden its light under a bushel.
"And I think, Leeds 2023 is all about having the opportunity across a whole year to really shout about the amazing cultural activity and infrastructure that we've got in the city.
"I mean, I think Leeds is known for its music scene and we know that outside of London, it's got an incredible dance history as well. But outside the city, not many people might know that.
"So this is our year to really shout about the cultural giant that is Leeds. It's the UK's third largest city. And the latest census showed that there's over 800,000, people, you know, 170 different languages.
"So the diversity of culture's really, really rich across a very differing geographic landscape as well. So this is an opportunity to really celebrate all of that.
"We do want to put Leeds on the map for culture, without a doubt, nationally, and internationally. And we've got brilliant partners working with the British Council, working with artists right across the world.
"So this is our opportunity to really shout about the city and shout about something that probably Loiners know all about, but maybe people outside the city don't know as much. But also we also want to encourage neighbourhoods to get to know their neighbors as well.
"And that's why the community projects are really so important. In the different communities, whether they're geographically communities or communities of skateboarders, for example, that you might not know, a really vibrant part of the city as well."
Organisers hope the year-long festival will generate 2,300 extra jobs and bring £114m into the visitor economy. So what's their message to people outside the city considering coming along?
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"You'd be able to fill 48 hours of your weekend with an incredible and diverse range of culture," says Ms Scott Paul. "You could go and see performances and some of our world class venues like Leeds Playhouse.
"But you could also equally sample some amazing food in Kirkgate market or have a meal in a Michelin-starred restaurant, and then you could go and see some incredible live music as well as performances by kids in some of the brilliant venues we've got, as well as taking a tour of all the street art throughout the city center that's been popping up recently.
"So there really is something for everyone. You might even be able to take in a Rugby League match as well if sport's your thing. It's a fantastic city and we can't wait to share it with the rest of the world."
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