Three cities shortlisted for the European Capital of Culture 2030 in Belgium

A panel of independent experts recommended the shortlist following a meeting in Brussels on 24 October. Belgium will host a European Capital of Culture for the fifth time, after Antwerp in 1993, Brussels in 2000, Bruges in 2002, and Mons in 2015. 

Belgium invited applications on 27 September 2023. Six municipalities submitted applications by the deadline of 2 September 2024:

• Bruges

• Ghent

• Kortrijk

• Leuven

• Molenbeek

• Namur

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

Once the relevant Belgian authorities endorse the panel's recommendation, the candidates will have until summer of 2025 to complete their applications. The selection panel will then meet again in Brussels in the second half of 2025 to recommend the Belgian city to become the European Capital of Culture 2030.

In 2030 there will also be a European Capital of Culture in Cyprus and one in an EFTA/EEA country, candidate country or potential candidate for EU membership. The pre-selection rounds for these two competitions will respectively take place in February 2025 and December 2024.

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 12 independent experts examine the applications. The European Union institutions and bodies appoint 10 experts and the other 2, 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.