European Capital of Culture Plovdiv 2019. Shaping Diversity Together

Abstract

In 2019, the year that the Bulgarian city of Plovdiv held the title of the European Capital of Culture together with Matera in Italy, a team member of the Plovdiv 2019 Foundation was invited by the Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe to share their work and experience at the panel Shaping Diversity Together. Each Capital of Culture has as strong program focus on the relationship with the river as a place for cultural recreation, celebration, and tourism. The network of the ECoCs share a common vision for the sustainable development of river areas that are considered a stage for cultural participation of citizens and audiences. Rivers are viewed not only as natural hubs and places for gatherings with the potential to promote sustainable living, but also as transmitters of culture and information. The city of Plovdiv was selected as one of two European Capitals of Culture for 2019, along with its twin city Matera in Italy. The initiative European Capital of Culture has more than 35 years of history and it is under the umbrella of the Creative Europe Programme of the European Commission. The selected cities (62 in total as of January 2020) form the so called Family of the European Capital of Culture which, through art and culture, develop the cities, strengthen their sense of communities, and share common European values. The aims of the European Capital of Culture Plovdiv 2019 are to bring together European artists the same way the rivers connect countries, and to shape diversity under the motto #together in the future by transforming the city, creating a legacy for the future, and promoting sustainable lifestyles, while sharing differences.