Nicosia and Pafos are the two candidate cities that were preselected for the designation of the European Capital of Culture in 2017, outbidding the third candidate city, Limassol.
The decision, taken by a special selection committee, comprised by experts, was announced today by European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth Androulla Vassiliou, during a Press Conference at the Ministry of Education and Culture, in Nicosia.
Vassiliou said the preselected candidacies will have the chance to work further on their bid, before the final selection stage, on September 2012, when the team of experts will finalize its decision. The city to host the European Capital of Culture is expected to be announced on May 2013 by the Council of Ministers of the EU, the Commissioner noted.
She further said that early January a report by the team of experts will be made available, containing suggestions to both candidate cities on how to improve their bids. The report will also explain the reasons for deciding against the Limassol bid, the Commissioner said.
Speaking on the broader goals of the European Capital of Culture, Vassiliou referred to the promotion and celebration of Europe’s rich cultural heritage and of common understanding and intercultural dialogue.
Minister of Education and Culture Giorgos Demosthenous said from his part that his Ministry will reinforce financially the final selection with 5 mln euros for covering the city’s operational costs, starting from 2013.
He said moreover that the winning candidate will have the option to receive additional funding from EU structural funds, especially with regards to urban development and social cohesion-related infrastructure.
Demosthenous underlined that Cyprus is currently facing great challenges, both with regards to the upcoming Presidency of the European Council, in the second term of 2012, as well as in relation to international socioeconomic developments which impact on the daily life of people.
“The creative utilization of our cultural capital is the best key for us, in order to be able to deal successfully with whatever challenges lie ahead”, the Minister noted.
He also said that culture “is not a matter for the few, but for the many” and noted that it comprised a “public commodity”, in the same way as health or education, and should therefore be treated with priority.
Demosthenous also stood on the fact that Cyprus will assume the Presidency of the European Council in six months, and added that the country will be honored to host the European Capital of Culture in 2017. On the occasion of these two events, the Minister, went on, “a new beginning is required”, and added that it is imperative to acquire a different mentality, through synergies and changes in lifestyle. As he put it “culture is also a life attitude” and said that all these issues will be discussed with the people responsible for this effort.
A Danish city will be designated as European Capital of Culture in 2017, along with the winning candidate city from Cyprus, an occasion characterized by many as a fortunate coincidence, since the two countries are forming together, along with Poland, the current Trio Presidency of the EU.
The idea of designating a Capital of Culture every year started in 1985, upon the initiative of former Greek Minister of Culture Melina Mercouri, The aim was to celebrate the cultural links that bring Europeans together and form a European citizenship. Athens was the first city to become Europe’s Capital of Culture.
Following the announcement of the preselection results, Pafos Mayor Savvas Vergas expressed his satisfaction that the city is among the two, adding that he is proud for Pafos.
On behalf of the Municipality of Nicosia, Chairman of the Cultural Committee Egli Kammitsi said that the fact that three cities were bidding for the first selection stage has helped all candidates to present a more interesting proposal.
