European Capital of Culture

The European Capital of Culture is awarded by the EU to a city for one calendar year.  During the year, the city organises a series of cultural events and winning the title tends to be very good for the city economically when it comes to increased tourism.  There's also a cash prize of €1,5 million.

The award was launched in 1985 when Athens was selected as the first title-holder.  Until 1999, only one city held the title per year.  In 2000, the millennium year, nine cities shared the title including Prague which was expected to join the EU in 2004.

Since 2001, two cities are selected to share the title.  In 2015 Plzeň shared the title with Mons, Belgium.

In 2021, and then every three years, a third city will be selected that is either from a country in the EEA or from a country that is a potential EU member.

The UK was supposed to hold the title in 2023.  However, due to Brexit, the UK wasn't expected to be in the EU by then so only Hungary will hold the title in 2023.  Who knows if the UK will actually leave by then or not?

In 2028, Czechland and France will each host a European Capital of Culture.

Brno wants the title bad and has announced it will hire five new employees as it expands the Department of Culture.

Czech cities expected to submit bids are Ostrava, Zlín, and Liberec.  Other cities may possibly submit bids but the deadline for nominations is at the end of 2022.  Then a 12-person panel will decide the winner.  The panel will be made up of ten people appointed by the EU and two people selected by the Czech Ministry of Culture.  Let's go Brno!!

Update:  Brno is out of contention.  The short list of the Czech title is down to Broumov and České Budějovice.