Matera European Capital of Culture 2019 for Italy.

Art City Matera in Southern Italy and the Title “European Capital of Culture 2019”.

The Italian Culture Minister Dario Franceschini made the announcement after being informed by the selection panel of experts who recommended that Matera should be awarded the title. The selection panel of independent experts responsible for assessing the Italian cities competing to be European Capital of Culture in 2019 has recommended that Matera should be awarded the title. The other five Italian Cities short-listed after the initial pre-selection round in November 2013 were Cagliari, Lecce, Perugia, Ravenna and Siena. Bulgaria and Italy are the two EU member states shared the title in 2019. The final selection in Bulgaria took place in September, with the panel recommending that Plovdiv should be awarded the title for Bulgaria.

Androulla Vassiliou, the European Commissioner responsible for Culture, stated: “I congratulate Matera on its successful bid. The competition for the title in Italy was one of the strongest ever, with 21 initial contenders narrowed down to six finalists. This number is a testimony of the immense popularity of this European Union initiative. I am confident that Matera will attract more visitors from Europe and all over the world to discover the city, its history and the cultural diversity which is one of strengths of our continent. I am convinced that the title will bring Matera and its surrounding area significant long-term cultural, economic and social benefits, as we have seen with previous European Capitals of Culture.”

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The Culturebrand Team congratulates the Management Team from the Italian City Matera, nominated as “European Capital of Culture 2019″. Hubert Georg Feil, Management Partner of Culturebrand emphasized, that this successful Candidacy of Materia is a great Example of the Way and Strategy in which a small City like Matera with only 60.000 Citizens can develop an interesting European Project with Innovation, a good Citizen Spirit, untiring Self-Confidence and an incredible Creative Power.”

The Italian City Matera will following 2019 the actual European Capitals of Culture: Umeå (Sweden) and Riga (Latvia) 2014. Mons (Belgium) and Plzen (Czech Republic) will be European Capitals of Culture in 2015, Wrocław (Poland) and Donastia San Sebastián (Spain) in 2016, Aarhus (Denmark) and Paphos (Cyprus) in 2017 and Valletta (Malta) and Leeuwarden (Netherlands) in 2018.

“The designation of Matera is an Example of Civilization and Rebirth that comes to Europe from Matera and the whole of the South of Italy. We have earned this Title from the European Commission through the Power of Innovation in our Projects. For Matera and for the whole Southern Italy, this designation is tremendously important, “said the Mayor of Matera, Salvatore Adduce.

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The romantic City Matera in Southern Italy:  a successful European Capital of Culture 2019.

The city was chosen by an international jury. Matera is always a big surprise for Travellers and Visitors. The Italian City is known for the romantic and historical old town and is internationally well-known for its UNESCO-listed City of Stone.

Started in 1985, more than 40 cities have been designated European Capitals of Culture, and the initiative has become one of the most prestigious and high-profile cultural events in Europe.

European Capitals of Culture 2020 -2033

A new framework for the initiative, post 2019, has been adopted by the European Parliament and Council in April 2014. It includes the chronological list of Member States that can host the title from 2020 until 2033. Ireland and Croatia will host the event in 2020. Croatia launched its competition on 11 June 2014, with Ireland set to follow suit soon.

This new framework makes it possible for a city in a candidate country or potential candidate for EU membership to hold the title every third year as of 2021. This will be selected through an open competition, meaning that cities from various countries may compete with each other. The Commission will be responsible for organizing the competition.

 

More ECOC Information:

Please contact us for more and detailled information about the selection process 2020 – 2033 and for the Marketing, Communication, and Sponsorship Opportunities for already nominated Cities.

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