Illustration of the section: mons-2015

What is a European Capital of Culture?

In a few words ...

Starting from the premise that art, creativity and culture were as important as technology, trade, and the economy, the European Capitals of Culture were created by the European Community Ministers of Culture with impetus given by Melina Mercouri in 1985. This event makes it possible to display the cultural wealth of Europe and the links binding the peoples of Europe together.

Being designated European Capital of Culture is an outstanding opportunity to affirm one’s position on the European chessboard and to benefit from considerable returns in economic, cultural, tourist and media terms.

There are two elements inherent in every European Capital of Culture, the arts programme combining international artistic content with the wealth arising from local diversity. Each city designated tries to make the event accessible to local and European publics alike.

In 2015 one Belgian city and one Czech city will be European Capitals of Culture. It is important to note that Belgium has already had the European Capital of Culture three times. In 1993 it was the city of Antwerp, in 2000 Brussels and, most recently, in 2002 Bruges.

Bruges 2002: An example of a European Capital of Culture

Bruges, European Capital of Culture in 2002, was able to renovate and produce a large number of monuments enriching the architecture of the city. The Ito Pavillon, the Groenplaats, and the Concertgebouw are just a few major examples.

In addition, some 16,600,000 people visited Bruges in 2002! Day trippers and overnight tourists were attracted by the programming of Bruges 2002. According to the parties involved, the image of Bruges has been extended and rejuvenated thanks to the title of Capital of Culture.

Finally, the BruggePlus association, which developed on the back of the success of Bruges 2002, enables the town to continue to develop its cultural policy, in particular by organizing a themed festival every five years.

General information on European Capitals of Culture

For further information on the European Capitals of Culture, and the towns bidding for the title before 2015:

www.ec.europa.eu/culture/index_fr.htm

See also a survey ordered by the European Commission in August 2004. The Palmer Report is the reference report, containing the experiences and teaching of the European Capitals of Culture. This report is in English, but a summary in French is available on pages 25 to 37 of the dossier. To look at this dossier, click on here.

Enjoy your reading...

History of the European Capitals of Culture

  • 1985 : Athens (Greece)
  • 1986 : Florence (Italy)
  • 1987 : Amsterdam (Netherlands)
  • 1988 : Berlin (Germany)
  • 1989 : Paris (France)
  • 1990 : Glasgow (Scotland)
  • 1991 : Dublin (Ireland)
  • 1992 : Madrid (Spain)
  • 1993 : Antwerp (Belgium)
  • 1994 : Lisbon (Portugal)
  • 1995 : Luxembourg (Luxembourg)
  • 1996 : Copenhagen (Denmark)
  • 1997 : Thessaloniki (Greece)
  • 1998 : Stockholm (Sweden)
  • 1999 : Weimar (Germany)
  • 2000 : Avignon (France), Bergen (Norway), Bologna (Italy), Brussels (Belgium), Helsinki (Finland), Krakow (Poland), Prague (Czech Republic), Reykjavik (Iceland), Santiago de Compostela (Spain)
  • 2001 : Porto (Portugal) - Rotterdam (Netherlands)
  • 2002 : Salamanca (Spain) - Bruges (Belgium)
  • 2003 : Graz (Austria)
  • 2004 : Lille (France) - Genoa (Italy)
  • 2005 : Cork (Ireland)
  • 2006 : Patras (Greece)
  • 2007 : Luxembourg and the Grande Région - Sibiu (Romania)
  • 2008 : Liverpool (England) - Stavanger (Norway)
  • 2009 : Vilnius (Lituanie) - Linz (Austria)
  • 2010 : Pécs (Hungary) - Essen (Germany) - Istanbul (Turkey)
  • 2011 : Tallinn (Estonia) - Turku (Finland)
  • 2012 : Guimarães (Portugal) - Maribor (Slovenia)
  • 2013 : Marseille (France) - Kosice (Slovakia)
  • 2014 : Riga (Latvia) - Umeä (Sweden)
  • 2015 : Belgium – Czech Republic
  • 2016 : Spain - Poland
  • 2017 : Denmark - Cyprus
  • 2018: Malta - Netherlands
  • 2019: Bulgaria - Italy