Fourteen writers have come together to produce an illustrated short story book aimed at changing the “undeserved negative perception” of their city.
Luton’s graphic novel reveals “a side of Luton that is rarely seen,” says writer Vicky Hayford.
Artist Nicole Mollett said parts of the city were “not pretty” but she was “blown away” by her creativity.
About 800 free copies of the book are distributed from Saturday.
The graphic novel presents real experiences of people who live and work in the city of Bedfordshire.
It includes Headgear by Vicky Hayford, who wanted to inform a new generation of the town’s headwear tradition.
“I hope this work will reveal the side of Luton that is rarely seen – a city rich in creativity and culture, which continues to thrive in the face of an undeserved negative perception,” she said.
Simon Cleary said his story, Windows, was about “going home to Luton” and how cities “are evolving into a homogenized look – same shops, same hotels, same cafes”.
He hoped his words could “warn Luton of becoming another satellite of London, another provincial town, another photocopy of a photocopy”.
Lee Nelson, who wrote Dawning, said that the “distinct” city was “steeped in history – personal, industrial, proletarian, multicultural, political and national.”
Ms. Mollett, who drew all of the artwork, said: “Luton has a very diverse community and any Lutonian will tell you that he is upset and upset by the way the city is viewed from the outside.
“Some parts are not so pretty, but I don’t know of any city that goes as well as Luton.”
An exhibition of the work takes place until March 29 at the Mall in the city center.
The £ 18,000 project was funded by the Arts Council England, the Luton Arts Fund, with additional support from the University of Bedfordshire and the Mall.
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