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Offentliggjort:  14 Oct 2022

Two cities short-listed for European Capitals of Culture 2028 in the Czech Republic

Broumov and České Budějovice have been shortlisted in the competition for the title of European Capital of Culture 2028 in the Czech Republic.

A panel of 12 independent experts recommended the shortlist following a meeting in Prague. In 2028, the Czech Republic will host the European Capital of Culture for the third time, after Prague in 2000 and Pilsen in 2015.

The Czech Republic invited applications from interested cities in August 2021. Broumov, Brno, České Budějovice and Liberec submitted applications by the deadline of 1st September 2022.

Being shortlisted for the title can result in significant cultural, economic and social benefits for the cities concerned, providing that their bid is part of a longer-term culture-led development strategy.

Once the relevant Czech authorities formally endorse the panel's recommendation, the cities will have until the summer 2023 to complete their applications. The panel will then meet again in the second half of 2023 to recommend the Czech city to become European Capital of Culture 2028.

In the same year, there will be two other European Capitals of Culture, one in France and one in a city from an EFTA/EEA country, candidate country or potential candidate participating in the EU Creative Europe programme.

How cities become European Capitals of Culture

The selection procedure has 2 rounds:

  1. a pre-selection round, following which a shortlist of candidate cities is drawn up
  2. a final selection round approximately nine months later. The selected city is then officially designated by the Member State concerned.

A panel of experts examine the applications. The European Union institutions and bodies appoint 10 experts and the other 2 are appointed by the relevant national authorities.

The cities should prepare a cultural programme with a strong European dimension and must have a lasting impact and contribute to the long-term development of the city. The cities must also show that they have the support from the relevant public local authorities and the capacity to deliver the project.

Background

Born in 1985 from an idea of the then Greek Minister of Culture, Melina Mercouri, the European Capitals of Culture have grown into one of the most ambitious cultural projects in Europe and one of the best known – and most appreciated – activities of the EU. Their objectives are to promote the diversity of cultures in Europe, to highlight the common features they share and to foster the contribution of culture to the long-term development of cities.

Tagged in:  European Capitals of Culture Creative Europe
Offentliggjort:  14 Oct 2022