Culture Capital contest on last lap

The final decision will be taken tomorrow afternoon.

While only one city can grab the title, experts agree that all the candidates have benefited from the preparations, as these have served to promote cultural activity, which has become one of the key elements of city life.

The preparation of a cultural programme in tune with the needs of local residents, based on numerous meetings and public consultations, is one of the main requirements of the contest.

Meanwhile, a too passive approach to cultural activities was named as one of the biggest challenges facing authorities in the southwestern city of Wrocław.

“The contest drew little attention at first,” admits Ewa Czeszejko-Sochacka, plenipotentiary of the Warsaw mayor for the European Capital of Culture.

As the official stressed, taking up talks with Varsovians and approaching them with diverse cultural initiatives helped spark a debate on Warsaw’s cultural policy.

The governing bodies of the applicant cities agree that some of the advantages drawn from the competition for the title include launching dialogue between city authorities and inhabitants, defining the problems of the local cultural life, intensifying the engagement of people in culture, and raising awareness about urban development. (ab)