Ecocnews had also identified a seventh, Liège, but evidently changed its mind in the end. This is Belgium's fifth European Capital of Culture, coming after Anvers (1993), Brussels (2000), Bruges (2002) et Mons (2015).

A special competition, this one from Belgium, because - a rare thing - it sees in the race a city, Bruges, which has already been European Capital of Culture. This is a possibility allowed by the latest regulations.

On 21, 22 and 23 October, the candidates will present their bids to international experts at the Royal Library of Belgium (KBR) in Brussels. The finalists will be announced by the president of the jury on 24 October.While waiting to interview the representatives of the candidate cities, we explore these cities from afar with the help of their websites.

Namur
Recognising Namur as European Capital of Culture in 2030 means allowing a medium-sized city (114,000 inhabitants) to embody this positive outlook on the future. It means demonstrating that a path can be traced through difficulties, whether they are perceived at local or international level. It means proving that this honour will set in motion all the ecosystems of an area to develop exemplary projects that can be transposed to the European continent. Good practice should not just inspire. They must be transposed, multiplied, and reach the hearts of the cities and peoples of Europe. People who need perspectives that re-enchant, restore confidence, recreate cohesion and meaning, and enable all generations to believe in tomorrow once again.

"Our bid can only be seen as an appeal to a collective aspiration, a collective inspiration. Belgium’s bicentenary will provide a magnificent opportunity to create links and shared projects between several of the kingdom’s territories, in its four cardinal corners. It will unite. It will serve as a reminder that bringing together different public opinions within a single territory, even a Belgian one, can be transposed elsewhere in Europe. Culture can irrigate people’s consciences and serve as a ferment for identities. Not those of withdrawal, but those of acceptance".

Other info here.

Molenbeek
Somehow Molenbeek is in the centre of Brussels. Yet it is also a ghetto, a periphery, a marginality flaunted or suffered by over 30,000 Belgians of Muslim religion and mostly Moroccan origin. It is the second poorest of the 19 municipalities that make up the province. Becoming European Capital of Culture would mean helping to wipe out any attempt at religious radicalism, which seems to be well present here.

"We are confident that we will make it to the second round," co-mission holder of Molenbeek for Brussels 2030 Jan Goossens told VRT. "This is certainly a day of great joy and relief for us. Our dossier is the result of two years of intense cooperation with cultural centres in Molenbeek and across Brussels, two universities, diversity centres and the government. We are very proud of it."

“Flying our flag of super-diversity and solidarity, a host of artists, cultural houses, local organisations, youngsters, scenesters and residents will demonstrate why we deserve to be Europe’s Cultural Capital in 2030. From Munipal Square to Rue de Manchester, through the Porte de Ninove parc, all along the canal, and well into the Quartier Maritime.

MolenFest will serve a sneak peek of what that other, up-and-coming and decidledly creative side of the canal has to offer to Europe and its capital.
Molenbeek for Brussels 2030: here we are. And Europe: here we come.

Other info here.

Ghent
Ghent is a candidate to become European Capital of Culture in 2030. This title has existed since 1985 and in 2030 a city from Belgium, also will be European Capital of Culture. The title may have started as the crown in a beauty pageant, but today, it is a recognition of courageous European cities. 

Ghent has courage and, in 2030  wants to follow in the footsteps of other Belgian cities who have already been European Capital of Culture: Antwerp in 1993, Brussels in 2000, Bruges in 2002 and Mons in 2015.

Ghent has many assets and culture is one them. The City aims to use it as a lever for social change over the next few years. "However, our candidacy has an important added value. In the coming years, Ghent will create space for experiments and aims to realise specific spearheads that would mean a major step forward for culture in Ghent and Europe".

They have a website, click here for more info.

Leuven
For Leuven there is a site, Leuven2030, but it has nothing directly to do with the bid. Instead, it is a site to accompany their strategic plan against climate change.

Leuven's bid also relies on the municipality's site. Why is Leuven applying?

It’s not just the City of Leuven that’s the candidate. It’s Leuven plus the entire East Brabant region – what we’re calling ‘Leuven & Beyond’.

So far, the municipalities of Aarschot, Begijnendijk, Bekkevoort, Bierbeek, Boortmeerbeek, Boutersem, Diest, Geetbets, Haacht, Holsbeek, Keerbergen, Kortenaken, Linter, Lubbeek, Oud-Heverlee, Overijse, Rotselaar, Scherpenheuvel-Zichem, Tervuren, Tielt-Winge, Tienen and Tremelo have all committed to the project and we’re at the discussion stage with still others. “Working cooperatively is in the DNA of the region. We carry out projects, for and with residents, across sectors and city border. That’s our strength and it’s where we make the difference. By joining forces, we make the entire region stronger”.

LOV is the name of Leuven’s candidacy for the title of European Capital of Culture in 2030. Older Leuveners pronounce the name of their city as leive [lɛivɘ], which sounds like leven or ‘life’, while young Leuveners say ‘luive’ [lɜvɘ], which sounds like the English ‘love’. Life and love, both contained in the name of our city.

Kortrijk
Kortrijk is an urban village, big enough for ambition and small enough for conviviality. A creative city, with entrepreneurs, ‘hard workers’, real operators... A city that draws its strength from its glorious past, but also and above all seeks and finds strength in the many associations, companies and, not least, the many motivated residents. The rich cultural community is characterised by a particular diversity. From the talented young enthusiast to the professional arts organisations that excel in Belgium and often also throughout the European Union or on the world stage.

Together we are Kortrijk and looking ahead. We want to build the Kortrijk of the future, a city that faces challenges and wants to meet them with the power of culture. We dare to look for solutions that are not just obvious. We want to be a source of inspiration for other European cities. A beautiful challenge that we accept with all our courage...

The chosen route is full of possibilities not only to aspire to a wonderful year 2030, but also to make it incredibly interesting.

Kortrijk wants to write a widely supported history, reinvent itself and face social challenges. We seek solutions based on various cultural initiatives, always with the overall objective of making Kortrijk ‘better’. Becoming a cultural capital would be a unique lever for Kortrijk and the region.

DURF2030 was founded in 2020 with the aim of building a community of daredevils working together on cultural and artistic experiments.

Other info here.

Bruges
The world seems to be turning faster and faster. Climate change, poverty, a society that resembles a motley, super-diverse patchwork, artificial intelligence we can barely get a grip on, more people, less space, online connection but offline loneliness. Urban flight, an ageing population, an erratic property market. People fleeing for all sorts of reasons. And then there is the common desire for sufficient green space, accessible culture and high-quality education.

More than enough themes to base the City of Bruges' candidacy for European Capital of Culture 2030 on. “But if we ever want to face these challenges and seize opportunities, we will need to talk. About profound truths, casual moments, intense emotions. With each other, and with ourselves. Somewhere along the line, between the internet revolution, globalisation and the pandemic, we seem to have lost the gift of conversation. But if there is anything that brings people together, connects and touches our core, it is art and culture”.

That is why the theme of Bruges 2030 will be:  'The art of Conversation'.

“This theme will be our guide throughout the candidacy. The City of Bruges commits to starting conversations about the issues that await us in the run-up to 2030. We want to encourage dialogue between people, between organisations and their supporters, between stones and greenery, between past and present. Because what could be more valuable than a meaningful conversation?

We want to encourage people to talk to someone they don't know. To suggest the right questions to break the silence with a loved one. To help develop inner dialogue. To offer the opportunity for a debate in which every opinion has the right to exist. We should be able to look each other in the eye rather than only at our screens, typing in rage. We want to brainstorm about the lack of space, welcome new insights. We want to celebrate people’s talents and individuality and discover how they affect others”.

Other info here.