As the Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay arrives in Hereford, local people are being invited to contribute to a unique piece of digital art which is being created to celebrate the forthcoming Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Dubbed the ‘Relaytionship’, the fluid and dynamic artwork has been developing alongside the Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay, which set off in October 2021. After gathering submissions from across the Commonwealth, the Relaytionship has now returned to England and contributions from Hereford will help complete the final artwork.
Commissioned by the Business and Tourism Programme – the first economic legacy programme of its kind aligned to the Games, and the first to operate before and after a major sporting event – the Relaytionship is inspired by a poem by spoken word artist Amerah Saleh. Amerah has been calling on communities around the world to answer “What does home mean to you? What does incredible mean to you?”
Now it’s time for residents of Hereford to make their mark and become part of this piece of art by submitting their own rousing words for inclusion in the composition, which will be unveiled during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and then hosted at a prestigious cultural venue in central Birmingham.
Amerah said:
“The responses we’ve seen so far have been nothing short of inspirational, and as the Relaytionship has evolved, it’s clear that despite our differences, we are all more connected than we think.
“As the Commonwealth Games approach, we want to hear from the people of Hereford and we encourage them to become part of this truly exciting project.”
Becky Frall, Head of Tourism at the West Midlands Growth Company, said:
“The Relaytionship is a truly special piece of artwork that is bringing communities across the globe together ahead of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. As the Relaytionship and the Queen’s Baton Relay near completion, we look forward to receiving lots of contributions from Hereford residents.
“The final artwork will be displayed in the West Midlands to coincide with the Games, and we look forward to welcoming people from home and abroad to experience it. The West Midlands is a region bustling with vibrant cities, beautiful countryside, world-class tourism venues, engaging attractions and diverse arts and culture – andthere’s never been a better time to visit.”
Serving as the host region for the Games, the West Midlands is located at the heart of Britain and is renowned for its varied attractions and rich culture, including the Royal Shakespeare Company, Cadbury World, the Birmingham Royal Ballet, the Birmingham 2022 Festival and Warwick Castle. The area is at the epicentre of the nation’s culinary map, boasting a thriving global food scene and 11 Michelin-starred restaurants in the famous guide.
The Relaytionship by Amerah Saleh
We are tiny galaxies that pass each other quietly
We know when to come together
When to stand behind one another
We are multiple worlds colliding
Ready to embrace
Put the sun in your suitcase
Put the maps of the places you’re going to away
We are your tour guides
We’ll show you the architecture of our youth
The back to backs of our histories
The gardens of our stories
This galaxy is a combination of dreams and nightmares
At least we know that
We get up every morning
Continue to build on the shoulders of our heroes
Spin our world around
Tell us we are not the greatest
But we are in the middle of greatness.
Tell us what incredible is and we will provide?…..
We are the place you breathe at a human pace
The beauty of the capital
But the peace of a second
We can be children again
Tongues out at funfairs
Lollipops for being brave
To travel to another place
And find something new
What does home mean to you?……
To be continued…
The Relaytionship continues alongside the Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay. For more information or to contribute your own words, visit www.makeitwm.com/relaytionship.
