On Tuesday 24 October, the European Parliament’s Committee on Culture (CULT) is preparing to debate the framework for the European Capitals of Culture, as the legal basis for the initiative expires in 2033. To mark the occasion, the European Parliament’s group of experts provided MEPs with a note summarising their suggestions.
Faced with the challenges ahead for the Union in the coming decades, they “question if the ECoC initiative has fulfilled its purpose in its present form and should be completely rethought”. In particular, they noted the need for additional administrative support for the nominated cities, better communication about the initiative and ensuring that it promotes European values.
As a result, they are proposing, for example, to allow a city to join forces with a region at the time of its bid, to enable more collaboration. They also question the relevance of the selection process in Malta and Luxembourg, which lack cities eligible for the title.
They also call for a stronger requirement to integrate a European dimension into the activities on offer and to involve local artists more closely.
Finally, they are calling for more funding, both for the secretariat, based in Brussels, and for the winning cities.
The debate will be attended by representatives of past and future Capitals of Culture cities, namely Veszprém (Hungary, 2023), Timișoara (Romania, 2023), Kaunas (Lithuania, 2022) and Chemnitz (Germany, 2025). The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Culture, Creativity and Sport (DG EAC) will also be present. The MEPs will also discuss the progress of the initiative in Veszprém.
The experts’ suggestions: https://aeur.eu/f/97e (Original version in French by Hélène Seynaeve)