After Krakow (2000) and Wroclaw (2016) in 2029 it will be the third time of a European capital of culture in Poland.Twelve cities in Poland had applied to become the European Capital of Culture 2029. Four entered the short list: Bielsko-Biała, Katowice, Kołobrzeg and Lublin.
Attached is the report of the pre-selection evaluation panel.

While waiting for the evaluation panel to choose between the four cities, Ecocnews interviewed the Bielsko-Biała team, using the same format that was used for all candidate cities. We are also waiting for the other three short-listed cities to respond.

Why did your city decide to apply for the European Capital of Culture?
In the history of our city, we had great moments when we developed quickly and were an important centre with a dynamic economy. Initially, our prosperity was driven by the textile industry, followed by a boom in the automotive sector. Bielsko-Biała produced one of the finest wools in Europe, and due to the growing automotive industry in the 1970s, it almost doubled its population within a decade. Upon reflection, we realised that these periods of growth occurred when people with different beliefs and various origins collaborated towards a common goal – the development of our city. Now, the citizens of Bielsko-Biała take pride in their heritage but may not be sufficiently attuned to the challenges of the present and future. Subtle signs of impending change often go unnoticed amidst the daily hustle, such as the dying Ash tree and drying river Biała – integral elements of the city. These serve as symbols of climate change, with consequences that many overlook. Therefore, we aim to initiate a dialogue and take action. We aspire to weave a city of well-being for all – for people born here, those who choose to live here, and those who need a safe haven. We want to weave the future not only for our community but for all of Europe. To achieve this, we need to forge a new path, create new weaves for our city’s future and place people and nature at the centre, with Europe in our hearts. In essence, this is why we have decided to participate in the transformative competition for the European Capital of Culture.

What do you think are the keywords of your application?
One of the key words is WELL-BEING.
In light of the crisis in mental health, particularly among children and teenagers, it is important that we direct increased attention towards the promotion of WELL-BEING – the focal point of our initiative. Recognising the urgent need for intervention, we aim to inspire positive change through the medium of culture and art, employing them as tools to weave a fabric of well-being.
Following the metaphor or weaving, we will use AWARENESS, SOCIETY and SURROUNDINGS as our warps.
AWARENESS – construed as a fusion of knowledge, skills, and imagination that act as catalysts for transformative change, echoing the pivotal role they played in our historical successes. The combination of craftsmen's skills, engineers' knowledge, and innovators' imagination served as a linchpin in our past accomplishments, and we aspire to replicate this success.
SOCIETY – shaped by the triad of: community that fosters support; freedom that allows individual expression; and identity that anchors us to cherished values and heritage.
SURROUNDINGS – encompassing both natural elements (forests cover 30% our city) and urban landscapes, along with the increasingly influential digital space. Despite the ubiquity of the digital realm, we are not well prepared for how it affects us.
Two additional, albeit equally crucial, elements are PARTICIPATION and EUROPE. Moving forward is impossible without everyone's participation, and neglecting our European identity means losing a significant part of who we are. It is only by embracing these elements that we can effectively weave the future, creating a City of Weaves — a space for dialogue, the exchange of ideas, and the realisation of dreams.

How are you involving citizens in this competition?
We place citizens at the center of the ECOC project and city development, utilising culture as the driving force. We actively engaged in various ways, both directly and through digital communication channels. Outreach efforts have been extensive, with open calls for ideas, prototyping, and developing proposals. We have connected individuals with similar goals, fostering collaboration at every stage, a practice we intend to intensify in the current phase. Our emphasis on citizen involvement is vital, as they recognise that this is an opportunity to transform and modernise our city sustainably. As awareness grows, we are committed to making this process more interactive and meaningful. In the upcoming month, we plan to conduct additional meetings with diverse interest groups, understanding their needs, inviting contributions, and hosting sessions on various subjects. We particularly aim to engage those who aren't active in the city's cultural life, recognising their importance in creating a truly inclusive process. Participation is fundamental; it gives purpose and depth to our endeavors.

What are the next steps on your journey?
While we await the panel's report and its insightful feedback, our team remains active. We are scheduling meetings with community groups and have announced an open call for projects. Discussions with international partners are in progress to strengthen our relationships. Simultaneously, we are also in the process of launching an international call for the design of a new building for our Puppet Theater Banialuka, featuring a green library. Simultaneously, we are investing significant thought into how to effectively communicate with our citizens about the legacy we aim to create beyond the title itself, envisioning the future we want to weave for our city.
Additionally, we have taken the lead in one of the two thematic working groups within the international network — Culture Next. Over the next six months, our focus will revolve around researching good practices, exploring funding possibilities in culture across Europe and other related aspects.

What are your thoughts on the European Capital of Culture competition?
It is undeniably tough and complex, but transformation can often be challenging. If I were to sum up this competition in two words, I would say that it is a “transformative force”. It is especially valuable in light of the increasing level of euroscepticism across Europe.
In Poland, the competition is fierce. Initially, twelve cities were competing and four successfully advanced to the final selection. That gave us an energy boost. But looking at the cities that remain in the competition, the task ahead seems very hard – Katowice and Lublin lost to Wroclaw for 2016 title challenge.
However, since the first day of working on our bidbook, we have said to ourselves that we will compete solely with our own weaknesses. It is important for us to overcome our imperfections, tackle our problems and weave our future. We know that issues we face are not uncommon across Europe, while our values are the cornerstones. We want to weave a new, stronger fabric for the future – not only for ourselves but also for the entire EU. We aim to achieve this through the active participation of everyone. We have to learn from others and give something in return.
We extend a warm invitation to anyone who wishes to join us in weaving well-being. For more information about our efforts and what we are doing, please visit our website at bb2029.com. Our preselection bidbook is also available on the website here.