Ecocnews continues its journey among the 12 Portuguese cities that are candidates for European capital of culture for 2027. Since its foundation, Évora has been in constant transformation. Despite its geographical position in the interior of the country it has been a city of convergence where people meet to think about the world. It was the meeting place of civilisations and kings, then a centre of expansionist knowledge, and then one of the main cities of the Portuguese Renaissance.

For the first time since the outbreak of the pandemic, the European Capitals of Culture met live outside Europe to reflect together on the path of rebirth of cities and to share globally their responses to highly topical challenges such as the New European Bauhaus or the role that culture can play in connecting the rural and the urban.

Leiria was, if not the first, one of the first Portuguese cities to state - long ago on 22nd may of 2015 - the intention to present an application to European Capital of Culture 2027. It was also one of the first to, right after the first pandemic wave, reiterate this intention.

EcocNews begins a journey among the 12 Portuguese cities competing to become the European Capital of Culture in 2027. We asked all the application teams three same questions. Let's start with Ponta Delgada, Azores.

There is no recovery or future for Europe without culture. The European cultural ecosystem is convinced that Europe needs a new Cultural Deal, a transversal, overarching framework that should demonstrate the EU’s political commitment to place culture at the heart of the European project.

After having interviewed Steve Green, Bob Scott, Franco Bianchini, and Chris Torch today we ask the same questions to another ECOCs expert, Beatriz Garcia, Associate Director – Centre for Cultural Value, University of Liverpool.

After having interviewed Steve Green, Bob Scott and Franco Bianchini, today we ask the same questions to another ECOCs expert, Chris Torch.

In September 2019, Bradford launched a bid to be UK City of Culture in 2025. They’re looking for an Event Producer to work with the bid team and other partners to help deliver a programme of public events.

After having interviewed Steve Green and Bob Scott, today we ask the same questions to another ECOCs expert, Franco Bianchini. He is one of the leading experts on European Capitals of Culture. Franco Bianchini was part of the jury of two competitions, the European one that in 2001 selected Cork as ECOC for 2005, and the one, chosen by the Slovenian government, which in 2007 led to the choice of Maribor as one of the two ECOCs for 2012.

Strange numerical coincidences.  On July 24, the ministry of cultural heritage in Italy issued a press release announcing that there are 24 candidate cities for the Italian capital of culture in 2024. In short, everything depends on the number 24.