The month of September will be very important for a number of European cities that want to win the title of European Capital of Culture. In September, in fact, the evaluation panel will have to suggest the European Capital of Culture 2029 for Poland, choosing among the four short-listed cities: Bielsko-Biała, Katowice, Kołobrzeg, Lublin. And also in September it will be known which cities in Belgium have decided to participate in the competition for European Capital of Culture in 2030.

After two successful editions, the Brussels2030 Summer Assembly is back in its spring and Molenbeek version.

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. 

In 2030 there will be three countries to designate the European Capital of Culture: Cyprus, Belgium and one of the candidate countries to join the European Union.

Can culture be a shield against the degradation of politics and public institutions? Can the values of the European Union represent a weapon to defend the autonomy of individual countries?