The winner of a competition to design a logo for Bangor’s 1500th Anniversary celebrations has been announced.
In 525 AD, St. Deiniol established the first religious settlement in Bangor, and in 2025, the city will host a year of celebrations and events marking this significant milestone for Wales’ oldest city.
Central to the Bangor 1500 celebrations is community engagement, with local schools playing a vital role from the beginning. This inclusive approach provides local children with a captivating opportunity to explore the city’s rich history and connect with the vibrant festivities.
Pupils in Years 5 and 6 from local primary schools were invited to participate in the logo design competition last year. The winning logo has now been digitised and will be used on social media and promotional materials for the celebrations.
Over 170 entries were received, and the winning design came from Victor Murlikiewicz of Ysgol Faenol. His thoughtful logo reflects the city’s heritage, inspired by the wattle fence that surrounded St. Deiniol's first settlement in the 6th century. The name “Bangor” is derived from the term ‘wattle fence.’ The logo also incorporates the striking red, gold, and blue colours found in Bangor’s Coat of Arms. It not only honours Bangor’s history but also symbolises unity and pride for the future.
Victor, who now attends Ysgol Friars, recently attended a ceremony where he received a £50 voucher for the Pontio Arts and Innovation Centre from Bangor City Director Dr Martin Hanks.
Dr Martin Hanks said:
“Victor’s achievement highlights the incredible talent and creativity within the community and exemplifies how Bangor’s schools are central to shaping these celebrations. The logo will appear on all event materials, merchandise, and promotional items throughout the year, and Victor’s design will forever be associated with this historic milestone in the city’s history.”
Every child who participated in the competition also received a certificate to commemorate the Bangor 1500 Anniversary.
Cllr Eirian Williams Roberts, who organised the logo design competition, said:
“As the 1500 celebration liaison with schools and young people's organisations in Bangor, I had the privilege of organising this logo competition and working closely with our local schools to make it a success. Seeing over 170 entries come in from talented young people across the city has been an absolute joy, and I am so proud of the enthusiasm and creativity they’ve shown.
“Victor’s winning design is truly exceptional. When I spoke with him and his dad, they explained the thoughtful process behind his work—researching what makes a strong logo and carefully designing something that represents Bangor’s heritage and future. The effort Victor put into this was remarkable, and the result is a logo that beautifully captures the spirit of our city’s 1500th anniversary.
“Victor’s logo will not only be seen throughout Bangor but also nationally and even internationally as part of the many events, celebrations, and activities planned for 2025. It will be a symbol of pride for our city and a lasting reminder of this monumental year.
“I’m also thrilled to be working with Rhys Lloyd Jones of Storiel on an exciting project to showcase all the incredible entries from the competition. This project will include a dedicated exhibition of the entries and potentially an interactive element, allowing visitors to engage with the creativity and talent of our young people. It’s a wonderful way to highlight the effort and imagination that went into this competition and to celebrate the contributions of every participant.
“It has been an honour to organise this competition and to work with such inspiring young people and schools in Bangor. I can’t wait to see Victor’s logo displayed far and wide as we come together to celebrate this incredible milestone year.”
