European Capital of Culture
- Giuliano Gallanti, President of the Genoan Port Authorities (left) and Loyola Palacio (right) meeting in Genoa (Photo: European Commission)
The Council launched the European Capital of Culture event in 1985, at the initiative of Greek Minister Melina Mercouri. The event has been used as an opportunity for the chosen city to showcase itself and to attract investment.
In 2000 the EU had no less than nine Cultural Capitals. After fears that the title was losing currency the selection procedure was reformed and from 2005 onwards only two cities will share the title each year.
The new procedure is based on a rotation principle, with individual EU member states able to suggest one or more Cultural Capitals for a particular year.
Chronology of host countries:
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Britain and the European Capital of Culture
The British nomination for European Capital of Culture in 2008 is Liverpool. The city was chosen from a shortlist which also included Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, NewcastleGateshead and Oxford.
Links
http://www.liverpoolcapitalofculture.co.uk/