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.

After a six-year break, the open-air show Tõrva Loits will take place again on July 20th in Tõrva. Estonia’s largest symbiosis of fire, water, and music will be titled "Ouroboros" this year, symbolizing the infinite cycle of life with the ancient and mystical emblem of a snake eating its own tail.

For the first time, the European Capitals of Culture decided to officially present all together and in a symbolically very important place like the European Parliament, in Brussels.

The countdown to the opening ceremony of Tartu, European Capital of Culture 2024, on 26 January has begun. And well in advance, the cultural programme with 350 projects and over a thousand events is already online here.