Inhabitants of Liverpool are referred to as “Liverpudlians” and nicknamed “Scousers”, though this term is often (erroneously) used to cover other Merseysiders. They are noted for their distinctive accent and dialect, called Scouse.

Liverpool has a vibrant artistic life. Several pre-Raphaelites are among the important paintings in the Walker Art Gallery. Sudley House contains another major collection of pre 20th century art. The Tate Liverpool gallery houses the modern art collection of the Tate in the north of England. The Liverpool Biennial is a festival of arts held (as the name implies) every two years. The festival generally runs from mid September to late November and comprises three main sections; the International, The Independents and New Contemporaries although many fringe events are timed to coincide.

It was during this event in 2004 that Yoko Ono’s work “My mother is beautiful” caused widespread public protest by exhibiting photographs of a naked woman’s pubic area on the main shopping street. Despite protests the work remained in place.A flourishing orchestra, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra performs in its own hall, the Philharmonic Hall. The city also became well known for the Liverpool poets, of whom Roger McGough and the late Adrian Henri are among the best known. The anthology The Mersey Sound, by Henri, McGough and Brian Patten, has sold over 500,000 copies since first being published in 1967.

The city is also home to several successful theatre companies, such as the Everyman and Playhouse and the Unity TheatreIn 2003, Liverpool was awarded status as European Capital of Culture for 2008 and property developer Grosvenor started a £750 million regeneration of part of the city centr.