alisonlittleblog

https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-4000887400212447

What happens when a city fills with giant, brightly coloured sculptures combining lambs and bananas? Back in 2008, Liverpool found out! As the city celebrated its year as European Capital of Culture, the Go Superlambanana trail brought an extraordinary flock of colourful creations to streets, parks and public spaces across Liverpool and beyond.

As one of the artists who worked on the Go Superlambanana trail, I have a personal connection to this remarkable chapter in Liverpool’s cultural history. These projects formed my first art commissions as a professional artist, making them an important milestone in my creative journey.

To celebrate National Poetry Day 2026 and this year’s theme of Wonder, I wrote The Year the Lambananas Roamed Free. The poem looks back at the excitement, creativity and occasional chaos surrounding Liverpool’s unforgettable Superlambanana trail, bringing together memories of the artists, the sculptures, the crowds and the wonderful spectacle of a city embracing public art.

I was delighted to perform the poem at Liverpool Central Library as part of the National Poetry Day celebrations, followed by another performance later in the afternoon at the Victoria Gallery and Museum.

For me, this poem is more than a trip down memory lane. It’s a celebration of Liverpool’s creative spirit, the power of public art to bring people together, and the sense of wonder that can emerge when art escapes the gallery and takes over the streets.

The Year the Lamb Bananas Roamed Free

.

Two thousand and eight—

Liverpool did celebrate.

Capital of Culture,

we flung wide the gate.

.

Out came the sculpture,

lambs with bananas,

bananas with lambs—

Liverpool’s creatures,

our strange new parade,

a street full of colour,

a city displayed.

.

From Norris Green

to the Wirral Way,

Otterspool, Waterloo—

they came out to play.

Old Hall Street,

Baltic feet,

Liverpool ONE,

then Huyton’s streets.

Red side,

blue side,

supporters’ arch—

match-goers marching,

scarves raised in the air.

.

And everywhere—

Lambananas.

Everywhere.

.

Back at the Matchworks,

the wonderous artwork,

the flock had been born.

Artists worked

from dusk until dawn.

.

Paint mixed,

layers scraped,

tails carefully painted,

fine details shaped.

Undersides coated,

shells transformed—

each strange creature

ready to swarm.

And then there was him—

the original Lambanana,

Godfather of them all:

concrete and mesh,

with its tail standing tall.

.

The artist got criticism,

the doubters were loud.

But Liverpool had spoken—

and Liverpool was proud.

Then the flock arrived.

The crowds went wild.

They cheered and laughed,

they photographed every child.

.

Jamie Carragher—

no curator,

Son of four

.

“Don’t touch anything.”

The warning was given.

But Lambananas

were too good to be hidden.

.

The boy climbed aboard.

The wet paint was still fresh.

The Echo’s camera clicked—

and captured the moment,

forever impressed.

.

Then out they went—

Order; circumvent,

a colourful invasion,

a cultural revolution.

.

Liverpool danced.

Liverpool sang.

Lambananas

took over the town.

At Gateacre,

one lost an ear.

A slow attack,

deliberate and clear.

A group of lads

with a saw and a hack—

then repair, repaint,

and the ear went back.

.

The summer wore on.

The flock came home,

called back together,

no longer to roam.

.

To the Littlewoods building,

then St George’s Hall—

and what a sight!

Lambanana eyeballs

staring into the night.

.

Then came the auction.

A fair few drinks,

wine flowed freely

as everyone thinks.

Feasted lamb kebabs

Auctioneer on the job

.

The bids grew higher.

Higher.

Higher.

.

Until, to the shock

of those standing aloof,

Mandala hit

the roof.

.

Two thousand and eight—

what a soiree,

what a sight,

what glee,

what a night.

.

A city in colour,

a city set free—

the year the Lambananas

roamed wild and free.

.

Alison Little

Celebrating Liverpool’s Superlambanana Legacy

Looking back at the Go Superlambanana trail, it’s hard not to smile at the sheer ambition and eccentricity of the project. In 2008, Liverpool transformed its streets into an open-air exhibition, inviting residents and visitors to encounter art in unexpected places. The Superlambananas became part of the city’s cultural story, capturing the imagination and creating memories that have endured long after the sculptures finished their journey around the city.

As one of the artists involved, the project will always hold a special place in my heart. Those first professional art commissions helped shape my journey as an artist, and writing this poem for National Poetry Day 2026 gave me the opportunity to revisit that experience through a different creative medium.

Performing The Year the Lambananas Roamed Free at Liverpool Central Library and the Victoria Gallery and Museum made the celebration even more meaningful. Both occasions brought poetry, art and Liverpool’s cultural heritage together under this year’s theme of Wonder.

Perhaps that’s the real magic of the Superlambananas. They remind us that art doesn’t have to be serious, solemn or confined to a gallery. Sometimes, it can be playful, surprising, a little bit ridiculous and entirely unforgettable.

So here’s to Liverpool’s artists, its public art, and the wonderful things that happen when creativity is allowed to roam free.

2008 was the year the Lambananas roamed free. And what a year it was!

This article contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.

The images in this article were generated using AI technology.