"Liverpool's 800th Birthday"

View of the fireworks display from Albert Dock during the August 29th, 2007 celebration of the 800th birthday of Liverpool, England's 5th largest city. A liver bird sits on the cupola of the clock tower at the right, marking the Royal Liver Building. On the left side of the building sits a second liver bird, looking in the opposite direction. According to legend, one liver bird gazes over the city in protection of its people, as the other guards the sailors coming home to port. The more modern local saying, though, is that one bird is waiting for the pubs to open, as the other looks out for handsome sailors.

Liverpool, home of the Beatles and the Merseybeat poets, was once a proud hub of trade and culture until the 1970s, when its ports and manufacturing industries began a sharp decline. Now, years later, Liverpool is once again on the rise. Named as Europe's official Capital of Culture for 2008, Liverpool's cultural life is on display for the world to see.

Behind the Photography Scenes:
OK, confession time. The fireworks were actually to the left of the building in this photo, rather than over them. I shot the photo of the building and fireworks separately, then merged the photos.

Ref: 2007_5423_09_12_16_20

Location: Liverpool, England

Photographer: Irene Abdou