Matera (Italy) and Tetouan (Morocco) have been named the 2026 Mediterranean Capitals of Culture and Dialogue, a yearlong distinction that celebrates the cities’ rich cultural heritage and shared Mediterranean vision, by the Union for the Mediterranean and the Anna Lindh Foundation.

In the last days, Bielsko-Biała, Poland, became an international hub for discussions on the role of culture in addressing modern health challenges. The “Culture for Health and Well-being” conference brought together over 200 participants and 23 speakers from 18 countries to explore how cultural participation and artistic activities can impact mental health, support individuals in crisis, and shape modern public health approaches.

The European Capital of Culture in 2029 for Poland, as is now well known, will be Lublin. The Polish cities shortlisted, however, will become the national capital of culture. In 2026, Bielsko Biala will be the national capital of culture. And so, like the other short-listed cities, it is continuing the work begun in the candidature phase through events and moments of reflection.

Oulu, together with 39 municipalities, will be the European Capital of Culture in 2026. Oulu2026 is now launching an open call, inviting local communities and individuals to contribute to the programme. The call, which runs until the end of August 2025, will see decisions on programme proposals made every four months. The “We Are the Culture” call allows participants to propose their own events or other programmes to be part of the Capital of Culture year. Additionally, applicants can apply for grants to support the execution of their proposed programmes.

In 2026, the European Capitals of Culture will be Trencin, Slovakia, and Oulu, Finland. But how are the two cities preparing? This focus is on Trencin, which, in addition to supporting the organisation of cultural events, is placing great emphasis on the training of cultural workers from the region or from the city itself. These are very important actions for a European Capital of Culture because training serves not only to raise citizens' skills, but also to strengthen connections between different skills and experiences.