European Capital Of Culture Research Articles

Between national(ist) desires, digital glamour, and everyday destruction

Eleusis, a seaside town in Greece, sports both ancient heritage and the ruins of heavy industrialization. Appointed European Capital of Culture 2023, its residents found themselves participants in a spectacle where they, cultural heritage, and the landscape were integral to a new Eleusinian transformation. Here, we argue, ecological catastrophe and capitalist development meet EU-subsidized art, leveraged into nationalist investments. This article describes Eleusis as European Capital of Culture as a counter-site, both reflecting and distorting the social realities of Eleusis itself. Based on dialogue between fieldwork, analysis of digital material and visual constructions, we examine layers of sociality from archeological sites to refineries and the seashore, showcasing how destruction, environmental and human, is (inter)nationally deployed by cultural institutions to promote nationalist interests. Further, we track how human and non-human relationalities synthesize and collide, sometimes in strangely gendered ways, while critical micro-resistances and narratives point towards new ways of co-existence.

HERITAGE CONSERVATION THROUGH LEARNING. CASE-STUDY OF AN INTERNATIONAL MULTIDISCIPLINARY SUMMER SCHOOL

Education in the field of architecture represents an important but difficult task for the way in which we perceive the cities and the buildings in which we live. As a vocational profession, architecture must be taught and learnt through various applied methods, such as the case study method, which allow the students to deeply understand and properly apply the theoretical investigation procedures. This paper presents the results obtained after a multidisciplinary summer school, which was organised in Timișoara, the European Capital of Culture 2023, for a period of two weeks. The students involved were mainly architecture students from the Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning of Timișoara, but also there were several German students from sociology, anthropology, and town planning. The participation of the German students was possible due to a partnership with the German Academic Exchange Service D.A.A.D., based on a scholarship within the framework of the Go East Summer School program. The activities were based on a multidisciplinary investigation of a case study area, consisting of a group of historical buildings, in Timișoara. The students were organised in teams, and they did a detailed architectural-artistic, urbanistic, and socio-economic analysis of the area, which allowed them to determine the multicriterial vulnerability of the investigated buildings. The vulnerability assessment was based on a procedure that was previously developed and published by the same author. Moreover, complete surveys and 3D models, both digital and physical, were obtained. The results indicate a medium vulnerability of the case-study historical buildings, but the general conclusions of the study were that the area is very valuable from an architectural-cultural point of view. The students were able to investigate the history of the buildings, the nowadays functions, and the conservation state, to talk with the inhabitants, and to better understand the entire process of assessment of vulnerability. The teaching and working methods that were used during the summer school were the lecture, the case-study assignment, the teamwork, and the brainstorm method.

Innovative Transitions: Exploring Demand for Smart City Development in Novi Sad as a European Capital of Culture

This study investigates the factors influencing the acceptance and implementation of smart city solutions, with a particular focus on smart mobility and digital services in Novi Sad, one of the leading urban centers in Serbia. Employing a quantitative methodology, the research encompasses citizens’ perceptions of the benefits of smart technologies, their level of awareness regarding smart solutions, the degree of engagement in using digital services, and their interest in smart mobility. The results indicate that these factors are crucial for the successful integration of smart technologies. Notably, awareness of smart city initiatives and the perceived benefits, such as improved mobility, reduced traffic congestion, increased energy efficiency, and enhanced quality of life, are highlighted as key prerequisites for the adoption of these solutions. Novi Sad, as the European Capital of Culture in 2022, presents a unique opportunity for the implementation of these technologies. Our findings point to the need for strategic campaigns aimed at educating and raising public awareness. The practical implications of this study could contribute to shaping policies that encourage the development of smart cities, not only in Novi Sad but also in other urban areas across Serbia and the region. This study confirms the importance of citizen engagement and technological literacy in the transformation of urban environments through smart solutions, underscoring the potential of these technologies to improve everyday life and achieve sustainable urban development.

Influence of Social Networks on the Choice of Cultural Tourism Destination. Case study of Novi Sad and Rijeka as European Capitals of Culture

Influence of Social Networks on the Choice of Cultural Tourism Destination. Case study of Novi Sad and Rijeka as European Capitals of Culture

루마니아의 두 번째 유럽문화수도 티미쇼아라의 상징과 시사점

Timisoara, the European Capital of Culture 2023, is a city that represents the cultural and historical standards of Romania and Europe, implying the historical diversity of the various ethnic and cultural communities that have lived here for centuries. Timisoara is not only the city where gas lights were installed for the first time in Central and Eastern Europe in 1884, but also the epicenter of the Romanian Revolution in 1989, promoting itself as a city of light with the motto ‘Shine your light-Light up your city! (Luminează oraşul prin tine!)’ This light represents the innovation of diverse national heritage, but also the legacy of the struggle for freedom and democracy. Timisoara has demonstrated its unique cultural identity through various cultural events and special projects that promote urban and infrastructure development, as well as interest in cultural heritage. Timisoara 2023 (TM 2023) has established a cultural program that actively contributes to enhancing Timisoara’s identity, diversity, creativity and cultural potential as an engine for sustainable community development. The main program of TM 2023 consists of three main areas (People, Places, Connections) and one complementary area (Power Station) that implements capacity building. Each major area has a detailed program of specific ‘stations’ and ‘trails’ that host various cultural events, forming a transformative journey in which all areas are organically linked. The preparation and successful hosting of the event not only contributed to the preservation of traditional culture and the aesthetic aspects of the city, but also contributed to the economic development and increased tourism revenue, strengthening international recognition and creating added value in sustainable urban regeneration.

The creative city’s swan song? The individualisation of the music scene in Bologna, UNESCO City of Music

This paper extends the debate on medium-sized cities as active designers of place-specific neoliberal identities by reporting relevant findings from Bologna, European Capital of Culture in 2000 and a UNESCO City of Music since 2006. The study identifies the formal relationships of collaboration among local musicians as a relevant proxy to discuss the individualisation of the pop-rock music scene and its variations between 1978 and 2019. For this purpose, formal Social Network Analysis is combined with semi-structured interview analysis and archival research. The findings reveal decreased levels of social cohesion among artists and establishes a link between growing individualisation in the local music scene and an increasing tourist-orientation in the city.

The “Education, Entrepreneurship and Cultural Heritage” Initiative: Eleusis 2023 European Capital of Culture

The “Education, Entrepreneurship and Cultural Heritage” Initiative: Eleusis 2023 European Capital of Culture

Do we hear the voices of local citizens when we arrange cultural megaprojects for them? A case of the European capitals of culture

Culture-led urban regeneration projects can be an answer for tackling current depopulation challenges in specific regions due to aging and outward migration. Existing literature stresses the importance of citizen involvement in culture-led projects for successful urban regeneration. However, traditional top-down business approaches, including the dominance of external accountability, often limit our ability to hear local citizens' voices. Therefore, comprehensive reporting on practices of citizen participation may bring value to future culture-led regeneration projects. In this viewpoint paper, we investigate the case of the European Capitals of Culture and analyze their own evaluation reports understand to what extent and how citizen participation is described in evaluation reports of culture-led regeneration projects. We use an established framework to classify citizen participation by the degree of citizens' right to decide and exercise power in decision-making. We demonstrate that smaller cities that need urban regeneration tend to mobilize cultural initiatives as an arena for citizen engagement. Although we do not find evidence of citizen participation in larger ECoC cities, their participation is still essential for local value creation. We finalize our viewpoint with policy recommendations that can be relevant globally for initiatives that aim at urban regeneration.

Identifying the role of industrial heritage in the European Capital of Culture programme

There has been an increasing level of recognition of the interaction between cultural mega-events and built heritage in recent years. While research has broadly identified the need to align strategies and visions, as well as involve heritage actors and local communities, there has not been a systematic investigation of the position of industrial heritage within this tableau. This paper examines in depth the European Capital of Culture (ECoC) programme, as it is one of the longest standing Capital of Culture programmes in the world and has a significant record of investment and urban transformation. In this paper, we survey and categorise the inclusion of industrial heritage within the ECoC programme in 36 host cities and regions spread across Europe. This research provides the most comprehensive understanding to date of the specific forms of interaction between industrial heritage and ECoCs to better understand the kinds of relationships that have taken place. We then explore in detail the projects and decisions made in the cases of the 2023 Elefsina, 2017 Pafos and 2008 Liverpool ECoCs.

The dynamics of EU cultural policies in post-socialist urban regeneration strategies: a case study of Timișoara – European Capital of Culture 2023

ABSTRACT This research explores the Europeanisation processes that take place in the post-socialist Eastern European space, focusing on the case of Timisoara, Romania. In the analysed case, the adoption of EU cultural policies is instrumental in driving economic growth and urban development. The study focuses on how EU cultural policies integrate into the urban regeneration strategies, aiming to make cities more attractive to the creative classes who usually have higher consumption capacities and are key actors in urban development. Timișoara’s designation as one of the cities to hold the European Capital of Culture title in 2023 and its hosting of the Art Encounters Biennial amplify these dynamics by bringing upfront the capitalist market logic within the cultural field. In this context, there is also observed a subtle withdrawal of state’s responsibility in the act of educating and mediating the public, while private institutions are increasingly taking over this role. Overall, the paper showcases the shift towards a neoliberal orientation within the local cultural strategy while also underlining its effects within the two mega-events analysed.

European Capital of Culture and Sustainable Tourism

European Capital of Culture (ECoC), as a long-term cultural initiative of the European Union, has inevitably become intertwined with tourism development in designated cities. For almost four decades, medium-sized and small cities across Europe have been allowed to shift their local economies towards creativity and cultural tourism, driven by the ECoC title, with different cities achieving different levels of success. Since the 1990s, the ECoC initiative has followed the EU's trends, resolutions, and recommendations. The mid-2000s, 2010s, and early 2020s have given the trend a new drive with a more procedural approach in the ECoC bidding process. Sustainable development is one of the EU’s main strategic goals in the new era, and sustainable tourism has also influenced the ECoC initiative, making it one of the key priorities. This paper analyses the concepts of modern cultural tourism and the phenomena of over-tourism and sustainable tourism, especially in the ECoC context. Research methodology is based on secondary sources, including scientific papers, bid books and other official documents drawn up by ECoC cities and ECoC reports. The paper seeks to recognise and systematise the changes in cultural tourism trends in the ECoC context.

The European Capital of Culture and Transnational Networks

In Europe, building transnational networks has become a crucial means for realizing bottom-up Europeanization and implementing the European Union (EU) policy at the grassroots. The value of transnational networks lies in clarifying political exchanges, decision making and policy transfer below the EU level. As a core element of the EU’s cultural action, the European Capital of Culture (ECOC) is an important vehicle to promote transnational cooperation. However, whether in theory or practice, transnational networks among ECOC host cities have not received much attention from academia. Based on a qualitative meta-analysis, this study offers a holistic overview of the experiences of the ECOC programme over 40 years. It aims to answer two sets of research questions: (1) What types of transnational networks have been established among ECOCs? How do they operate? What functions do they have, and what are their impacts and limitations? (2) How do these transnational networks reflect the multilayered nature of European governance and the dynamics of Europeanization? Through this article, ECOC research can have a closer relationship with recent innovations in disciplines that are studying the EU’s political and societal processes.

THE CONDITIONAL GIFT – INTERPRETATIONS OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN APPLYING FOR THE EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE STATUS

European cities compete for the status of the European Capital of Culture (ECoC), as it is proven to enhance city visibility and the profile of cultural events in the city; it also allows addressing issues of strategic cultural development of the successful candidate. Importantly, the status comes with an explicit requirement to ensure sufficient public participation in developing the bid and implementing the cultural programme. Prior research demonstrates that meaningful participation is not easy to achieve; the research on that aspect is considered scarce. The article aims to analyse the interpretation of public participation, its challenges and shaping factors as seen by ECoC bid-producing teams. The main research question is “What did the bid development process uncover about the capacity of bid-producing teams to foster public participation in the Latvian cities – ECoC finalists?” The current paper examines the challenge of participation encountered in the process of developing the bid for the second round of ECoC 2027 by three applying cities in Latvia. The study was carried out between October 2022 and March 2023 using qualitative methodology. The theoretical starting point of the study is the four-part framework of factors influencing participation by Kaifeng Yang and Sanjay K. Pandey [Yang & Pandey 2011]. The study suggests that these factors are indeed useful in conducting an analysis of participation. In addition, the study supports the prior conclusions of scholarly literature pointing out that more nuanced language is needed to interpret participation and participants. The article pays special attention to the nuances of digital participation and the organisational characteristics of the public body in charge of participation in cultural planning.

Prioritizing environmental policies in Greek coastal municipalities

The aim of the present contribution has been to present a methodological framework to gauge/assess the perceptions and identify the policy priorities of local-decision-makers for the management of the coastal zone under a changing climate, on the basis of structured ‘interviews’ of the local decision makers. The framework was applied in two different coastal areas in Greece: a) Elefsina, an urban-industrial area west of Athens with a long industrial history (and the 2023 European Capital of Culture); and b) the Aegean island of Santorini/Thera, a major international tourist destination due to the rare aesthetics of its volcanic landscape. The framework implementation showed that a) policy prioritization is characterized by an (understandably) overarching objective to address immediate environmental and socio-economic challenges in short time tables due also to constraints in appropriate human and financial resources and the reliance on higher governance (regional/national) levels; b) policy axis and action prioritizations are controlled by the local environmental setting and development model; c) interestingly for coastal municipalities policy actions associated with the study/protection of coastal ecosystems ranked very low albeit for different stated reasons; and d) climate change impacts and adaptation have not been prioritized highly in both coastal municipalities, in contrast to the large impacts and needs for adaptation projected for these areas and the evolving policy and legislation frameworks. It appears that higher efforts should be made in terms of the assessment of climate change impacts, and the dissemination of the assessment results and the relevance of the evolving policy and legislation regimes to the local policy makers.

Future-Making in the European Capitals of Culture

The article deals with the concept of future-making and its European (i.e., EU) dimension in the context of European Capital of Culture projects. The analysis is based on two case studies – Rijeka 2020 and Nova Gorica 2025. The authors focus on ECoC bid books and other strategic documents that give insight into the desired legacy of the event and the (re) positioning of each city on the cultural and political map of Europe through the transposition of relevant European topics into local contexts. They examine the visions of the anticipated urban development that is hoped to occur as a direct consequence of the project’s implementation.

Participant-oriented evaluation through participatory action research: a case study of a community engagement approach

PurposeThis article explores the applicability of participatory action research (PAR) on two levels: on the one hand, as a participatory evaluation method for community engagement and community development; on the other hand, as a tool to link ex ante and ex-post evaluation that situated at various stages of the policy cycle.Design/methodology/approachThrough a practice-based case study of the community engagement process of Valletta Design Cluster, this paper aims to illustrate how PAR can offer collaborative and continuous evaluation by facilitating social action through a practical, situative, context-bounded, responsive and transformative framework.FindingsThe study explores how PAR can contribute to cultural sustainability by linking community development with participatory evaluation, and it offers new perspectives on the applicability of PAR as a tool to link ex ante and ex-post evaluation, situated at various stages of the policy cycle.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough based on a single case, the paper demonstrates that the method has the potential to be applied in various contexts, as it helps to foster local ownership and to develop future cultural strategies, thus providing a base for cultural sustainability.Originality/valueThe novelty of this study is to link evaluation – a majorly top-down and ex ante approach – with participatory planning. PAR-E offers a continuous participatory framework for the whole European Capitals of Culture (ECoC) cycle, as well as serving as a tool for empowerment and community development.

Measuring factors affecting local loyalty based on a correlation network

Understanding the level of local loyalty is crucial for urban planners, as individuals who exhibit higher levels of loyalty are more likely to adopt a “voice” strategy and act in the interest of their community, while being less likely to relocate. This study aims to develop a methodology for assessing and determining the factors influencing local loyalty levels. It is presumed that different factors contribute to each level of local loyalty. Through the identification of loyalty components and potential drivers, a data-driven approach based on correlation networks was employed to identify critical factors influencing loyalty at varying levels. The methodology was applied in Veszprém, Hungary, the European Capital of Culture in 2023, using a representative survey. The findings reveal that while demographic variables exhibit a weak correlation with loyalty levels, residents living in the city centre tend to show higher loyalty. Factors associated with high local loyalty include well-being, employment opportunities, healthy social relationships, and strong family ties. Conversely, the least loyal group is characterized by weak connections with friends, neighbours, and colleagues, as well as living in unsafe environments.

2016 유럽문화수도 산 세바스티안에서 나타나는 사회적 가치 실현

The cultural city is a policy that aims to activate culture and arts in specific cities and achieve urban regeneration through them. The cultural city concept originated in 1985 with the European Capital of Culture program and has since expanded globally. In this paper, we focus on San Sebastián, which was designated as the European Capital of Culture in 2016, to examine the social values pursued by the European Capital of Culture and its specific case. Through San Sebastián's goals and detailed projects as the European Capital of Culture, we can identify several key points.
 Firstly, San Sebastián addressed the issues of violence and conflict inherent in the city and also explored the coexistence issue, which is a concern across Europe, through cultural arts.
 Secondly, it is based on citizen participation. From the challenging stage of competing to be the European Capital of Culture to the preparation and implementation stages after being selected, citizens were actively involved, and they were encouraged to conceive and execute projects that benefit the citizens themselves.
 Thirdly, the scope of the project is not limited to San Sebastián but extends to the Basque region and even throughout Europe. Additionally, the European Capital of Culture program expanded not only city-to-city networking but also networking at the organizational level.

An Intersectional Analysis of Young People’s Cultural Participation in the Context of the European Capital of Culture: The Case of Oulu2026

An Intersectional Analysis of Young People’s Cultural Participation in the Context of the European Capital of Culture: The Case of Oulu2026

European Capital of Culture and creative industries: Real impact or unproven belief? The case of Wrocław

This study investigates the impact of the European Capital of Culture (ECoC) Wrocław 2016 on the growth of creative industries in the city. The research involved surveying managers of local enterprises in Wrocław's creative sectors, focusing on their opinions regarding the expected benefits of the ECoC and its potential influence on the companies' economic development in the future.The findings indicate that most respondents believed the ECoC positively impacted local development by fostering new artistic endeavours and promoting local entertainment companies. They also perceived significant economic effects, including increased demand for cultural goods and services and increased spending on culture and entertainment. Instead, opinions on company development were primarily influenced by the long-term investment climate that involves multiple factors. The ECoC indirectly contributed to this climate by redirecting local policies towards further cultural expansion, creating a more welcoming environment for cultural industries, and triggering spillover effects in this sector.Thus, the study argues that the ECoC title is not a direct catalyst for developing cultural industries in Wrocław. Rather, it represents the culmination of a long-term strategy to establish the city as a cultural hub, effectively enhancing this sector of the local economy.