Beyond attendance figures, the event enabled Cáceres 2031 to strengthen one of the pillars of the bid: listening to and engaging citizens. Through its volunteer programme, 706 surveys on culture and the European Capital of Culture were collected, with responses from different generations and a sample particularly connected to the city and province of Cáceres.
The initial results show a high level of awareness of the bid, with 88.7% of respondents having some degree of knowledge of Cáceres 2031. Cultural life received an average rating of 7.77 out of 10, while expectations regarding the impact that Cáceres 2031 could have on cultural life reached 8.31 out of 10.
The survey also provides valuable information to continue shaping the bid around the needs expressed by citizens. Young people emerge as the group perceived to be least represented in the cultural offer, while 77.8% believe that culture can help address the territory's main challenges. Among the issues highlighted are inclusion, social cohesion, education, employment and opportunities for young people.
Transcultura meets the public
Cáceres 2031's own activities also received a strong response from the public. Ovejas Perdidas ('Lost Sheep'), a cultural mystery game designed to encourage participants to explore and discover the city in a different way, filled all 150 available places, with a waiting list also created due to demand.
This was complemented by the popularity of the Transcultura sheep photocall, which attracted nearly 1,000 people over the two days. In a playful and accessible way, the activity brought the bid's central concept, Transcultura, closer to the public and turned the space into one of Cáceres 2031's main meeting points with residents and visitors.
The bid's presence also extended to other parts of the city, including the Ateneo, through projections, rest and wellbeing areas, information activities and a recording set designed to capture voices and experiences throughout the event.
Cáceres 2031 strengthens its connections with Europe
Heritage Nights also provided an opportunity to showcase the European dimension of the bid and continue building cultural connections towards 2031. One of the highlights was the presence of Évora, European Capital of Culture 2027, which introduced audiences to heritage-related projects, musical performances and experiences connected to the landscapes and culture of the Alentejo.
The event therefore provided another opportunity to strengthen the relationship between Cáceres 2031 and Évora 2027 and to develop initiatives that the two cities will be able to share within the framework of the European Capital of Culture, reinforcing a cross-border connection that forms part of Cáceres 2031's European journey.
This connection with Portugal was complemented by the presence of the Italian company Korsia, which brought a dance performance to the Foro de los Balbos that revisited European folk traditions from a contemporary perspective. Its participation further expands Cáceres 2031's international connections and brought new ways of reinterpreting and sharing European cultural heritage closer to the public.
The overall outcome of these two days reflects a strong public response while also providing valuable information for the next stages of the bid. The 706 surveys, participation in the different activities and the connections established with European projects and artists strengthen a process that seeks to build the bid through listening, engagement with citizens and exchange with Europe.
