European Capitals of Culture
Athens was the first city to be awarded the title after the former Greek Minister of Culture, Melina Mercouri, coined the designation "Capital of Culture" in 1985. Since then, the title has been bestowed on a different European city each year. Since 2005, the title is being awarded to a different country in the European Union each year - following a rotation principle. As from 2009 there will be two Capitals of Culture annually - one from an old and one from a new member in the EU. In addition, one city from outside the EU may optionally be selected.
The aim of the title “European Capital of Culture” is to emphasise the cultural riches, the variety and the common cultural heritage in Europe and to make a contribution for a better understanding among Europe's citizens. Another aspect of the European Capital of Culture is to give the public an understanding of particular cultural aspects of the city, the region and the country.
European Capitals of Culture 2003-2015
Genua, ItalY 2004
Lille, France 2004
Cork, Ireland 2005
Patras, Greece 2006
Luxembourg 2007
Sibiu, Rumania 2007
Liverpool, UK 2008
Stavanger, Norway 2008
Linz, austria 2009
Vilnius, Lithuania 2009
Essen for the Ruhr, Germany 2010
Istanbul, Turkey 2010
Pécs, HUngary 2010
Tallinn, Estonia 2011
Turku, Finland 2011
Guimarães, Portugal 2012
Maribor, Slovenia 2012
Marseille Provence, France 2013
Košice, Slovakia 2013
Umeå, Sweden 2014
Riga, Latvia 2014
Mons, Belgium 2015
Pilsen, Czech Republic 2015