2005-08-19

European Cultural cities in Germany and Hungary

16 German and 11 Hungarian cities have been competing for the title of "European Capital of Culture 2010". Each city found new forms of cultural engagement and trod new paths in determining future city development during the process.

They have not been doing this in isolation, but were able to engage in long term discussions and communication. In the course of a full year, the Hungarian and German cities have measured the actual selection criteria against their expectations, claims and experiences in a series of five international colloquia. Experts from 5 other European countries have been integrated into this debate. During these colloquia a number of important issues were discussed. Others had to be postponed to future debates. In particular, these included the role and freedom of the Arts and future European Capitals of Culture.
The main conclusion of the colloquia in Potsdam, Regensburg, Halle, Kassel and Budapest was that European cities can do more for the internal development and the "design" of the future of Europe than the criteria modified in 1999 demand of them. 20 years of experience of "Capitals and Cities of Culture" already form a sound foundation for modernising this important and gleaming engine of European cultural policy.

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source: European Cultural Foundation, "Budapest Statement", May 2005