Since 1985, when Greece’s Minister of Culture Melina Mercouri together with her French counterpart Jack Lang inaugurated Athens as the first European Capital of Culture, more than 60 cities throughout the European Union, and beyond, have received the title.
On January 11, 2024 the Cultural Capitals of Europe(PPE) for 2023 officially handed over their titles to the cities and regions that will represent the European Capitals of Culture in 2024.
Elefsina (Greece), Timisoara (Romania) and Vesprem-Balaton (Hungary) handed the title to Bad Isel Salzkammergut (Austria), Bodo (Norway) and Tartu (Estonia) during a separate ceremony, which was held for the second consecutive year at the Acropolis Museum in Athens.
A flame for culture and a common future!
Since 1985, when Greece’s Minister of Culture Melina Mercouri together with her French counterpart Jack Lang inaugurated Athens as the first European Capital of Culture, more than 60 cities across the European Union, and beyond, have received the title.
The aim of this institution was to bring European citizens closer, highlighting the richness and diversity of European cultures and making them aware of their common history and common values.
The European Capitals of Culture work together, bringing people and cultures together. This collaboration and networking is expressed through a series of projects and initiatives, with the aim of achieving a long-term impact for the current title year and well beyond.
To strengthen this cooperation, to emphasize the importance of celebrating culture, our common fundamental right and pillar of the European way of life at the highest European level, a common dynamic is celebrated in the form of an official tradition in Athens, as an opportunity for the official representatives to recall the meaning and purpose of the European Capitals of Culture.
Official Ceremony of Handing over the Title of the Capital of Culture 2024
The moderator of the evening, journalist Elena Papadimitriou, welcomed everyone present to the 2024 Official Handover Ceremony: “Tonight, here at the Acropolis Museum in Athens, we watch the symbolic handover of the flame as the three European Capitals of Culture for 2023 officially hand over their their titles in the cities that will represent this prestigious event in 2024”.
Afterwards, Nikolaos Stampolidis, director of the Acropolis Museum, took the floor, who stated that “Athens must be the city where the title will be handed over every year and which will take place at the Acropolis Museum. I would gladly accept this offer».
This was followed by speeches by Gyula Porga, Mayor of Vesprem, Friderika Mike, Director of Development of Vesprem-Balaton 2023 Programs, Cosmin Tabără, Deputy Mayor of Timisoara, Ramona Laczko David, Coordinator of the Timisoara 2023 Program, Lina Mendonis, Minister of Culture, Ambassador of Austria to Greece, Gerda Vogl, Odd Emil Ingebrigtsen, mayor of Bodo and Michael Marmarinos, general artistic director of 2023 Elefsis.
Source :Skai
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