Since 1985, the title “European Capital of Culture” has been awarded annually by the European Union. At the suggestion of the then Greek Minister of Culture, Melina Mercouri, the ministers responsible for cultural affairs in the Council of the European Community launched the initiative on June 13, 1985.

Creating meeting spaces

To this day, the goal of the European Capitals of Culture is to highlight the diversity of European culture, promote encounters and communicate European values. Cultural aspects of a city, a region or even the entire country are to be made more accessible to the European public. The title is intended to support sustainable cultural initiatives and contribute to the development of the places through increased national and international attention.

To date, more than 60 cities within the European Union have been awarded the title as part of the “European Capital of Culture” initiative, and at least two cities have been awarded the title since 2001. The selection process begins with a six-year lead time, during which an independent panel of up to 12 international experts evaluates all applications and makes a recommendation to rotating member states, which then nominate the Capital of Culture.

Esch2022 takes on a significant legacy

In addition to Esch-Alzette, Kaunas in Lithuania, with which numerous joint projects have already been initiated, and Novi Sad in Serbia, whose programme planned for 2021 has been postponed to 2022 due to the Corona pandemic, have also been selected as Capitals of Culture for 2022.
Luxembourg City held the title in 1995 and 2007.

The term “Europe” not only refers to a geographical definition, but to political, economic and cultural coexistence. It means overcoming boundaries and creating spaces of opportunity. The European idea has a very special meaning for the European Capital of Culture 2022 project as well as for the region: as a border region, it is commonplace for residents of the region to cross borders between France, Belgium or Germany – freely and without controls. As a melting pot of cultures and nations, also due to many immigrants during its time linked to the development of the steel industry, multiculturalism and multilateralism are an integral part of coexistence and regional identity.

Culture as a transformer

The European Capital of Culture project fulfils several dimensions by promoting the development of the Minett at the regional level and, at the national level, Esch2022 represents the largest cultural project of the entire year in Luxembourg, bringing the region and the entire country to the centre of international attention. And, of course, Esch2022 has a significant European dimension, creating the opportunity to present fundamental European values and visions in a new light through art and culture, and to showcase the dynamism of the southern region, including its specific cultural and natural heritage, beyond its borders.

“REMIX Europe” as a theme

One of the key themes of this European project is „REMIX Europe“. The project is intended to challenge the European idea, to carry it even further and deliberately focuses on enabling and promoting transnational projects and partnerships. Esch2022 brings together numerous artists and institutions from all over Europe to provide a platform for the diversity of European cultures in their many artistic disciplines to come to life.

The partnerships with the two other European partner cities Kaunas in Lithuania and Novi Sad in Serbia, with which numerous joint projects have already been initiated, is significant in this respect.

Partnerships with other European countries

An artistic reflection on the subject of the digital revolution, unprecedented in Luxembourg, will be carried out with internationally renowned partners: ZKM – Centre for Art and Media in Karlsruhe is an institution that has been pursuing its mission since 1989 to promote understanding of the world and the technologies that define it, and to raise public awareness of the issues and problems of our time.

Esch2022 also collaborates with the House of Electronic Arts – HeK Basel, the public centre in Switzerland that supports creative and artistic discourse on the aesthetic and socio-political consequences of digital technologies.

The partnership with Ars Electronica in Linz, a renowned platform for art, technology and society founded in 1979, is enabling the development of an interactive laboratory for the general public.

Together with Esch2022, the three partners present three different exhibitions on the key themes ” REMIX Identity”, “REMIX Nature” and “REMIX Art”.

For “REMIX Europe” the team has teamed up with the Luxembourg partner Historical Consulting. Historians and curators Pit Péporté and Sophie Neuenkirch are currently developing an exhibition on the perspectives of contemporary Europe with Dutch designers Tinker Imagineers.

Esch2022 stands for networking of people and institutions and active participation – as many as possible should be part of this great project. Numerous other projects are at the planning stage, initiated with partners from all over Europe.

In addition to Esch-Alzette, two other cities were awarded the title of “European Capital of Culture” for the year 2022, joining the more than 60 cities that have been granted this prestigious title to promote the richness of diversity and multiculturalism.

Esch2022 is in close contact with the two other cities and is notably developing parts of its programme in partnership such as encounters in museums and theatres and the development of joint festivals.

Through these partnerships, we aim to bring populations, cities and countries closer together through culture. Europe should continue to grow together.

Kaunas – European Capital of Culture 2022. From temporary to contemporary. 

The city of Kaunas (Lithuania), designated by the European Commission as the second European Capital of Culture for 2022, is the “twin” of Esch-Alzette. When Kaunas unexpectedly became the temporary capital of Lithuania in 1919, this status became the source of creative energy, even if only temporarily.

In collaboration with renowned artists from around the world, communities are designing symbols for their neighbourhoods for 2022, making street art, doing exhibitions, planting their courtyards, dancing, exploring the unique flavour of local areas. Kaunas is already called the city where you can’t avoid culture. In 2022, locals and guests will be surprised every weekend with an impressive international cultural event. In addition, there are hundreds of smaller events throughout the year.

Another highlight – the Mythical Beast of Kaunas. The creature will invite everyone on a personal journey of self-discovery. The mythical trilogy begins with the awakening of the Beast (20-22 January 2022), meeting it face to face (20-22 May 2022), and signing a treaty of friendship with the city, its neighbour, and itself (25-27 November 2022).

Instagram @kaunas2022 – Website www.kaunas2022.eu – Facebook @kaunas2022 – LinkedIn kaunas2022

Novi Sad: Building new bridges with a new cultural image

Novi Sad is one of the first cities outside the EU to be named European Capital of Culture. The main idea of the program narrative “For new bridges” becomes more visible every day, with the aim of leaving solid legacies that improve the cultural image of the city: new programmes, new processes, committed people (citizens, cultural institutions, associations, organisations, artists) and finally new places for culture. So the vision of the project is: ‘The beginning of the new. Now!’

Instagram: @novisad_2022 @visit.ns Facebook:  @NoviSad2022 @visitnovisadepk Hashtags: #novisad2022 #VisitNoviSad