A few days ago, on 2 September to be exact, the deadline for submitting the candidature for European Capital of Culture in 2030 for Belgium expired. As Ecocnews already anticipated several months ago (here), six cities have agreed to be part of the competition. They are Namur, Molenbeek, Ghent, Louvain, Courtraie and, once again, Bruges.

Cities that want to apply to become European Capital of Culture, usually, but not always,  decide this ten years earlier. For example, Matera decided to apply in 2010 to be European Capital of Culture in 2019. Six years before the title-year the selected host Member States publish a call for applications, usually through their Ministry for Culture. Cities interested in participating in the competition must submit a proposal for consideration.