Why it matters: Ipswich is now part of an exclusive network of just five towns and cities worldwide hosting Portals.
The details: The Portal was unveiled at 13:00 today and connects to identical sculptures in Vilnius, Lublin, Dublin and Philadelphia. Designed as a window between distant countries and cultures, it allows residents and visitors to meet people from around the world through live video feeds.
The big picture: The Portal is part of the Digital Ipswich project within the Ipswich Towns Deal, funded by the UK government, to support digital place-making and modernise the town centre through interactive, inclusive experiences.
What they're saying: Councillor Neil MacDonald, leader of Ipswich Borough Council, said: "I'm delighted that we're the first place in the UK to welcome this innovative sculpture, which has been hugely successful elsewhere. The Portal brings people together from other countries as a window into our vibrant town centre, so we can see other cultures and connect with families and other people across the globe."
"We can't wait to see everyone, and I know residents will be curious to peek into other countries for free, without having to travel from their home town," he added.
Benediktas Gylys, founder of Portals Organization, said: "Portals, with their invitation to see each other past borders and labels, stand on the shoulders of people - our global community of supporters. Each city that joins Portals by launching their own sculpture brings its own history, culture, and energy to the family. Ipswich's rich heritage and British character add something truly special. Only together can we build the bridge to a united planet that Portals aim to embody."
For context: The Portal project has not been without its critics. When the council first revealed the project, concerns were raised that the sculpture could become a magnet for antisocial behaviour and that funding could have been better deployed to other projects in the town centre.
What's next: The global network will expand further in the coming months, with the first South American Portal launching in Piauí, Brazil, and the first Asian Portal at a location yet to be announced.
The bottom line: While critics question whether the funding could have been better spent elsewhere, the council is banking on the Portal to strengthen Ipswich's profile, bring people into the town centre, and bring people together across continents.
Whatever your feelings towards it, it's another step in the regeneration process of Ipswich's Cornhill, following the council's acquisition and restoration of the former Grimwades building, and the Lloyds Avenue redevelopment, rumoured to start in January.
