Lublin has been applying for European Capital of Culture 2029 under the catchphrase Re:union. Competition app will showcase the creative potential of the city, and experience, gathered during the implementation of European Youth Capital Lublin 2023. Citizens and residents are invited to work side by side to develop Lublin candidacy.
Within the European Youth Capital programme, Lublin showcases itself as an open, friendly and conscious city to rapidly changing times. While taking on further steps, we are trying to allow for the needs of the next generation and involve young people in co-deciding and building the city of our shared dreams. European Youth Capital has embraced the enormous creative potential hidden in young people. We wish all citizens participated in European Capital of Culture Lublin 2029 programme. The idea developed hand in hand should be strategic and long-term, because it allows us a chance to win, regardless of the final outcome - says Krzysztof Żuk, Mayor of Lublin.
In May 2023, Lublin City Councillors agreeed unanimously on Lublin’s candidacy for European Capital of Culture 2029. The next step is to develop the application. Lublin residents, artists, informal groups, NGOs, cultural institutions or companies from the creative sector can participate in the process of managing Lublin's application. A special form has been prepared for submitting projects and ideas. At the moment, it is sufficient to introduce sketches and outlines. Offers can be put forward until July, 7. There is an "Information Zone" info point at the Centre for Culture in Lublin (12, Peowiaków Street) where anyone can find out more about Lublin's application to be European Capital of Culture 2029, and submit their comments, suggestions and proposals. The point is open from Monday to Friday from 1.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. (until July, 7).
The city to be awarded the title will be selected by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. Interested local governments can submit their applications until September, 15. According to media reports, Katowice, Kielce, Bielsko-Biała, Toruń, Rzeszów, and Kołobrzeg have already applied. Lublin competed for the title of European Capital of Culture 2016 and was then in the final stage of the competition. The title of European Capital of Culture is transitive and the selected Polish city will receive it in 2029. The winning city is selected five years before the festive year, followed by a long-term preparation process.
Competition agenda:
- until July 7, 2023 - deadline for submission of projects and ideas via form;
- until July, 15, 2023 - team analysis and consultation of projects;
- September, 15, 2023 - first stage of the competition, submission of initial applications to the Commission;
- Autumn 2023 - awaiting decision to proceed to the next stage of the ECOC 2029 competition;
- Spring 2024 - second stage of the competition, presentation of the target application with a framework programme for the 2029 celebration year;
- 2024 - 2028 - four-year preparations for the ECOC 2029 celebrations;
- 2029 - European Capital of Culture celebrations
Detailed information on the competition in Polish and English can be found on the website of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. Details of Lublin's candidature for the title of ECC 2029 can be found on the official website lublin2029.pl.
