In the last days, the European Capitals and Regions of Europe of 2024 officially handed over their titles to the European Capitals of Culture of 2025. Bad Ischl Salzkammergut (Austria), Bodø (Norway) and Tartu (Estonia) passed on the title to the ECoCs of 2025 Chemnitz (Germany) and Nova Gorica/Goricia on the Slovenian-Italian border.

 When the cultural capital cities of Bodø, Tartu and Salzkammergut were to create something together, the result was: "Village Party": A playful exploration of village party stereotypes.

When the storm is at its fiercest, you need a safe harbor. Bodø has been such a safe harbor for fishermen and travelers for hundreds of years. Now, Bodø will also become a safe harbor for artists and writers who are persecuted in their home countries, for storms can come in many forms—such as conflicts and war.

Light is an element of nature that strongly characterises the landscape of northern Norway. Divided between periods of light and periods of darkness, this territory represents an exceptional experience to live the days in a different way, marked by a weather that always surprises. Just think of the Northern Lights with those shades of colours that provide unique experiences, certainly for travellers who often choose this corner of the world to experience these emotions.

This weekend marked the official opening of Bodø2024, the first European Capital of Culture north of the Arctic Circle. 20,000 attended the spectacular opening show in Bodø Harbour on Saturday evening.