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Riga, Cesis, Jurmala and Liepaja contenders for the title of European Capital of Culture 2015
In 2014, one of Latvia's cities will become
the European Capital of Culture. The European Capital of Culture will
be chosen among the four cities, which submitted their applications for
the competition to the Ministry of Culture: Riga, Liepāja, Jūrmala and
Cēsis. Sigula co-participates as the sister-city of Riga.
The competition will be organized in two stages. First the European
Capital of Culture Selection jury will assess, if the contenders'
applications are in line with the aims of the Culture Capitals program
and character. The jury will consist of thirteen independent culture
experts: seven delegates European Union institutions and six
representatives from Latvia, chosen after consultations with the
European Commission.
The first stage of evaluation of the contenders will take place in
mid-December, 2008; at this points the competition's finalists will be
shortlisted. In the second stage of the competition, the shortlisted
finalists, following suggestions from the jury, will have to improve
and develop their applications, and to submit them to the Ministry of
Culture.
The jury will announce, which city will become the European Capital of Culture 2014, in September 2009.
The title is bestowed, taking in consideration the cultural events
program that the city offers on the particular year. The chosen city is
encouraged to use its special qualities and to prove its creative
potential. The undertakings of the European Capital of Culture in the
course of the year, have to strengthen the collaboration in the culture
sector and to promote a sustainable and fruitful dialog on European
scale. One of the aims of this program is to promote mutual
understanding and increase knowledge of European citizens about one
another, thus creating the feeling of belonging to one community.
Therefore, the chosen city's events program and general vision
should be "European". Each year two European cities awarded the title
of the culture capital. In 2014, one city in Latvia and one city in
Sweden will be awarded the honorable title of the European Capital of
Culture.
A few years ago the Latvian Tourism Development Agency ran a promotional campaign called “You Won’t Believe it Until You See It!”, which talked about such things as blue cows, flying people and extraordinary singers. If that campaign were still up and running today, the number one topic would no doubt be the turn-around of the Latvian economy.
Capital: Riga Total area: 64,589 sq km Population (2007): 2,270,700 Ethnic composition:
Latvian 59.03%, Russian 28.29%, Other 12.68% Language: Latvian Currency: Lat (LVL), 1 Lat = 100 Santims
In 2014, one of Latvia's cities will become
the European Capital of Culture. The European Capital of Culture will
be chosen among the four cities, which submitted their applications for
the competition to the Ministry of Culture: Riga, Liepāja, Jūrmala and
Cēsis. Sigula co-participates as the sister-city of Riga.
