For Belgium there are currently 3 candidate cities: Brussels, Leuven and Ghent.

For Cyprus, there are currently five candidate cities: Larnaca, Nicosia, Limassol, Ayia Napa and Kourion. For the first 4 cities you can read here. In recent weeks, another candidate city, Kourion, has been added.

Kourion was an important ancient Greek city-state on the southwestern coast of the island of Cyprus. In the twelfth century BCE, after the collapse of the Mycenaean palaces, Greek settlers from Argos arrived on this site. In the seventeenth century, Kourion suffered from five heavy earthquakes, but the city was mostly rebuilt. The acropolis of Kourion, located 1.3 km southwest of Episkopi and 13 km west of Limassol, is located atop a limestone promontory nearly 100 metres high along the coast of Episkopi Bay.

The Kourion archaeological area lies within the British Overseas Territory of Akrotiri and Dhekelia and is managed by the Cyprus Department of Antiquity. The newly established Municipality of Kourion is bidding for the prestigious title of the European Capital of Culture 2030. They invite artists, organizations, groups of artists, youth groups, and other creative collectives to submit project proposals to be included in the Municipality's bid book, that embody the philosophy of finding beauty and strength in the process of repair and renewal.

This theme aims to highlight how the processes of repairing the various fractures that we encounter in the history of our place and our communities have the potential to strengthen and enhance our beauty and values. They seek proposals for projects that reflect this concept and incorporate elements of the rich cultural heritage and history of both our region and the wider Eastern Mediterranean.

Call Objectives
Highlighting Resilience and Renewal

- Showcase Kourion’s journey of transformation and renewal, emphasizing how past challenges can create a more resilient and vibrant community.

Fostering Unity and Pride

- Foster a sense of pride, unity, and resilience among residents, encouraging them to embrace and celebrate their history and imperfections.

Attracting Cultural Tourism

- Attract visitors to experience the beauty of a city that celebrates its imperfections as a source of strength and creativity, enhancing the cultural landscape of Kourion area.

Crisis, Opportunity, and Rebirth: A Three-Part Process
Kourion’s bid for the European Capital of Culture title revolves around a three-part process: Crisis, Opportunity, and Rebirth. This framework invite they to think of creative proposals that explore these stages through their work, reflecting the city’s own journey and recent transformation. The merging of nine communities into a unified municipality symbolizes a powerful narrative of joining and gluing together diverse elements to create a stronger, cohesive whole.

They invite proposals that explore and celebrate the theme of "Embracing Imperfections". They envision projects that bring to life the philosophy of finding beauty and strength in the process of repair and renewal, mirroring the recent unification of Kourion’s communities.

Deadline: 31 August 2024.

Other info here.