Bradford’s Centenary Square was transformed into a lively sea of colours as it hosted the 40th version of Island of Foam, a vibrant and immersive artwork by renowned German artist Stephanie Lüning. This unique event formed part of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture’s PLAY programme, timed to coincide with the National Day of Play, an occasion dedicated to celebrating children’s right to play and promoting inclusive and accessible environments.
The usually composed public square became unrecognisable as waves of colourful foam swept across the city centre, inviting visitors of all ages to participate in a playful and interactive experience. The joyous spectacle drew in families, schoolchildren, art enthusiasts, and curious onlookers alike.
Stephanie Lüning, who refers to herself as a “sculpting painter,” expressed her excitement in bringing “Island of Foam” to Bradford for the first time. “I love to hand over control to the painting process itself and create interactive art pieces. We’re thrilled to see how the foam transforms in collaboration with the Bradford audience and weather,” she said.
PLAY: An Ongoing Cultural Celebration
The foam installation is one of many artistic and cultural interventions under Bradford 2025’s PLAY initiative, which seeks to bring joy, creativity, and togetherness through public art and activities. The initiative also complements the ongoing efforts of Play Bradford in supporting local play infrastructure and promoting learning through play.
Earlier highlights from the programme include Grue by Steven Wintercroft and ARCADE, which turned Damart Mill into a cardboard wonderland; The Great Adventure Build, where children constructed their own playgrounds under the guidance of adventure play specialists; The RedBall Project by Kurt Perschke, which surprised locals by popping up in unexpected corners of the city.
Shanaz Gulzar, Creative Director of Bradford 2025, commented, “Hosting such an immersive experience on National Day of Play showcases how play unites all generations. Island of Foam is one of the many ways our PLAY programme sparks imagination and celebrates creativity across all age groups.”
Looking ahead, Bradford 2025 has more community-oriented events planned. These include the return of The Great Adventure Build at Ladyhill Park, REPLAY, a recycled playground experience for early years, and Balancing Acts by Sam Shendi, a semi-permanent structure at MAPA designed for playful engagement.
Learning Through Play: Bridging Generations
Beyond public installations, the PLAY programme also features a cultural learning component. In partnership with local schools, educators, and community organisations, it aims to promote Intergenerational Play through projects such as one run in collaboration with The Linking Network, connecting schoolchildren with elderly residents in care homes.
Other upcoming educational experiences will include interactive storytelling sessions by Alive & Kicking, creativity-infused science play, inclusive design workshops from Creative Briefs, and activities designed for SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) schools across the district.
A Day That Reminds Us All to Play
National Day of Play, observed across the UK, holds relevance in 2025 as it calls attention to the significance of free, inclusive play spaces for children. The day’s theme underscores the necessity of recognising play not just as fun, but as an essential part of childhood development and community building.
As part of the UK City of Culture 2025 celebrations, Bradford continues to embrace its identity as a youthful, creative, and welcoming city. With over a quarter of its population under the age of 20, the city is uniquely positioned to champion playful, youth-led cultural expression.
The Island of Foam installation may be temporary, but the joy and community spirit it generated will leave a lasting impression on Bradford’s cultural memory. Events like these signal a new chapter for the city one that values participation, colour, and the sheer magic of play.
