The inaugural International Day of Birmingham (IDOB) took place on Tuesday 24th September, spearheaded by renowned comedian and proud Brummie, Joe Lycett.
To unite Birmingham’s worldwide, ‘Friendship Agreements’ have been built, linking Birmingham, UK, with various other cities, towns and villages named Birmingham across North America, forming the ‘United States of Birmingham’.
To commemorate this historic occasion, Joe, with support from the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, has officially designated September 24th as International Day of Birmingham, a day when Birmingham’s worldwide will celebrate their shared Brummie heritage with a collective chant of “Alright Bab.”
The inaugural celebration will be marked by a civic reception at Birmingham Council House, hosted by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham. In attendance will be Joe Lycett, along with a delegation of his American counterparts from other Birmingham’s, local dignitaries, and notable figures from Birmingham’s rich cultural history, including members of Black Sabbath, UB40, and Dexy’s Midnight Runners.
Festivities will also take place in Victoria Square from around 3pm for a grand Brummie celebration – which everyone is invited to! Joe Lycett, joined by his international Brummie guests, will parade through the crowd, led by a brass band performing their own rendition of Black Sabbath’s ‘Iron Man’. The parade will also feature dhol drummers, cheerleaders, stilt walkers, a giant Chinese dragon-style bull, and a surprise papier-mâché tribute.
The event will culminate with the hoisting of the United States of Birmingham flag, designed by Joe himself, accompanied by buglers playing the specially composed United States of Birmingham Fanfare, symbolising the new bond uniting the Birmingham’s of the world.
Joe hopes that the International Day of Birmingham will grow to become an annual tradition. The monumental International Day of Birmingham will feature as part of Sky’s new series ‘Joe Lycett’s United States of Birmingham’ which will launch in 2025 on Sky Max and NOW. The series follows Joe Lycett as he embarks on a US road trip like no other, as Joe sets out on a mission to unite Birmingham across the world.
Joe Lyctt said: “International Day of Birmingham should be something we already celebrate, but I am thrilled to be joining the Lord Mayor in our inaugural celebration. I have travelled thousands of miles around niche and rural parts of America to help create this lasting legacy for all Birmingham’s, the greatest places on earth, better than dumps like London and Paris and New York, and link all Birmingham’s with the other Birmingham’s so that all Birmingham’s are friends with Birmingham.”
The Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Ken Wood, said: “As Lord Mayor of Birmingham, it is my great pleasure to welcome the launch of the inaugural International Day of Birmingham, a truly inspiring event that unites Birmingham across the world in a celebration of our shared heritage. This day marks a unique opportunity to connect with communities who share our proud name and spirit, stretching far beyond the borders of the UK.
“The creation of the ‘Friendship Agreements’ with other Birmingham’s in North America not only strengthens international bonds, but also reinforces the values of friendship, inclusivity, and community that define our great city.
“I invite all Brummies’, near and far, to join us in Victoria Square for this extraordinary celebration and to proudly raise their voices as we celebrate the first-ever International Day of Birmingham.”
