One year, two cities
Each year, the EU designates one (or more) city as a European Capital of Culture. Since Athens in 1985, more than 60 cities have held the title — from Pécs to Galway, Plovdiv to Esch-sur-Alzette.
The selection is competitive and lasts up to 8 years (4 years of bidding and prep + 1 host year + follow-up). The point is not tourism alone but transformation: capacity-building for local artists, infrastructure investment, and long-term community engagement. Communities can engage with their nearest current or future ECoC — they fund open calls, residencies, and participatory commissions.
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