The cities of Elefsina in Greece, Timisoara in Romania and Vesprem in Hungary are awarded the prestigious title of European Capitals of Culture for 2023, the European Commission announced.
These three cities take the prestigious title from Novi Sad, Echs-sur-Alzette in Luxembourg and Kaunas in Lithuania, which had the honor and obligation to be the capital of culture last year.
The EC announced that Commission Vice President Margaritis Shinas will participate in the handover at the Acropolis Museum in Athens on January 9, during which a written statement by Maria Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, will be read.
“The event will be an opportunity to look back on the past year and celebrate the capitals of culture from 2022, which are Esch-sur-Alzette, Kaunas and Novi Sad. The title of the European Capital of Culture allows to demonstrate the richness and diversity of cultures in Europe, to stimulate sustainable tourism and promote the development of cities through culture”, said the European Commission, which invited EU citizens to visit European capitals of culture.
The status of the European capital of culture brings a long-term positive social and economic impact on both the cities and the surrounding regions.
To be selected, cities had to establish a cultural program with a strong European dimension, encouraging the active participation of their residents and their communities.