Liverpool did have a kind of 'Boom' somewhere around 2000 forward and you know I used to laugh a little because they were designated as 'european city of culture' (i think 2007??) so you couldn't go anywhere without Liverpudlians introducing that to a conversation as a kind of proof they were really a new metropolitan winner.

But realistically that 'City of Culture' is - to be very honest - its really more like a 'Help Program' for cities that quite frankly need a boost. Its not so much that they WERE a center of culture but by creating the festivals and lofty title it funneled cash, building projects and is also designed to encourage them to try harder, get involved in community etc.

Quite honestly the Olympics are even a little like this - they are just as much to help the city as they are an 'award' for excellence. yes.. the city must show they can rise up and are good enough BUT its also with the idea of helping that city become better than it is (sometimes its political or social reasons too).

but having said that, actually Liverpool has definitely improved and gotten a lot better in the last 10-15 years and is surprisingly nice and even sophisticated in some areas with far less of that image of insurance-scamming dumb football hooligans and scallies and all that. BUTTTTT hehe well I can't blame anyone for braggin up their hometown I suppose. I guess we should all want to 'overstate the hometown pride' after all.