Bourges, Clermont-Ferrand, Montpellier (associated with Sète) and Rouen are the four finalist cities to be designated European capital of culture in 2028, according to a decree published in Official newspaper Friday.
The names of the finalists among the nine candidates (also with Amiens, Bastia, Nice, Reims and Saint-Denis) were announced in March during a ceremony at the Ministry of Culture. The winning city will be known in December. Four French cities have already held this role, Paris in 1989, Avignon in 2000, Lille in 2004 and Marseille in 2014.
A global fund of 2.5 billion euros
Launched in 1985 under the joint impetus of France and Greece, and in particular the Ministers of Culture Melina Mercouri and Jack Lang, the “European Capital of Culture” scheme is supposed to “enhance the heritage and cultural dynamism” of winning cities. It should make it possible to stimulate cultural tourism, with the organization of numerous exhibitions, festivals, and even the construction of museums. According to the European Commission, it is a question of “highlighting the diversity of cultural wealth in Europe and the ties that unite us as Europeans”.
Up to three cities from three different European countries can be awarded this label each year: in 2023, these are Veszprém (Hungary), Timisoara (Romania) and Eleusis (Greece). Each Member State can only host the event once during the period 2020-2033. In 2028, a French city, a Czech and a third from a country yet to be determined will organize the event. Labeled cities benefit from funds from the “Creative Europe” program, with an overall budget of 2.5 billion euros over the period 2021-2027.