Themes of the Year

Bristol 650 is about many things. 

It is a celebration of a city as well as an honest appraisal of where it has come from and where it is now. It is about the people of Bristol; the people who have come here from other places; and the Bristol diaspora to other cities and countries. It looks ahead to how we might, together, shape our futures.

Across the programme of events, blogs and activity, you’ll see two main themes:

We are Bristol

We are a city of individuals, each with our own talents, skills, stories and opinions which are to be heard, seen, respected and understood. We come together as a collective to make the city of Bristol – a city that is rebellious in spirit, collaborative, diverse and welcoming.

Where do my family and I come from?

What is my story? Where do I and my family come from? What are the stories of and from my community? How does the history of my house and my street fit into the wider city story? How has the city grown and evolved?

You can find out more about Bristol history, geneology and more in the Local and Family archives.