Brussels, 07/01/2013 (Agence Europe) - The French town of Marseilles, European Capital of Culture for 2013, will officially begin festivities on 12 January and, just one week later, on 19 January, the Slovakian town of Kosice will follow suit. “This is the moment that Marseilles and Kosice have been preparing for - and waiting for (…). The opening events will mark the beginning of what will be a tremendous year of cultural activities, aimed not only at local people from the city and surrounding region but also at those coming from much further afield”, Culture Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou was pleased to say. European Commission President José Manuel Barroso will be in Marseilles for the opening ceremony. (IL/transl.jl)