Skopje will become European Capital of Culture in 2028. The candidacy slogan “Culture over Division” is an opportunity to bring art and culture closer to all citizens with the overall artistic vision to bridge divisions in society through culture. Four themes Art4Hope, Togetherness, rECOvering and CreARTing form the program.
The objectives of the ECOC European Capital of Cultures is to safeguard and promote the diversity of cultures in Europe and to strengthen the sense of belonging to a common cultural space. Every third year, together with two EU cities a third city out of candidate or EEA/EFTA country is selected as ECoC. Skopje with the project SK2028 was selected together with Česke Budějovice and a French city which will be selected in December 2023 between Rouen, Bourges, Clermont-Ferrand or Montpellier. Skopje was shortlisted together with Budva. In 2024, Tartu (Estonia), Bad Ischl (Austria) and Bodø (Norway) are ECoC. The initiative exists since 1985. Novi Sad was the first West Balkan city who became ECoC in 2022, Skopje will be the second.
The selection is made by a panel of 10 independent experts appointed by the EU institutions like the European Parliament or the Committee of the Regions.
The decision of Skopje to form an initiative dates back to 2015. The candidature received the support by Mayor Danela Arsovska and the Government and President of the country.
The application must have a cultural program with a strong European dimension which fosters the participation of the city’s stakeholders as well as its various neighborhoods and attractive for visitors from the whole country and Europe. It shall provide Europeans with opportunities to learn more about each other’s cultures, enjoy their shared history and values, experience the feeling of belonging to the same European community and to develop European cultural connections and partnerships.
The cultural strategy of SK2028 is part of the cultural strategy 2021 – 2030 and has a strong emphasis on legacy. The strategy is “open-ended” and revised every three years, next in 2024. The overall artistic vision is bridging divisions in society through culture. Social divisions can be overcome, and culture is to be at the center of the city’s sustainable development. Skopje wants its inhabitants to conceive arts and culture as “a way of life” and to see culture as a lever for bringing about necessary changes in society by having culture bridge what otherwise divides. The project Art for disability shows the emphasis on inclusion. A process with artists and cultural professionals has been conducted to develop the program. An open call for project ideas is launched and proposals can be made by everyone via the website. Partnerships with Skopje’s 21 twin cities should bring out projects with European aspects. Recently, an agreement with the city of Rome has been signed.
SK2028 will align with strategies across sectors like tourism, education, environmental protection, economic development and spatial development. 70 % of the citizens are expected to take part in at least one event. The operating budget is 22,5 mio €, funded for 10 mio by the city and 10 mio by the state, of which 60 % is foreseen for the artistic and cultural program. Several infrastructure projects like the renovation of Universal Hall with 1500 places are part of the project.
Further information
- Website https://Skopje2028.mk
- EU Preselection report: https://culture.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2023-02/ecoc-2028-noneu-country-preselection-report.pdf
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Capital_of_Culture
The original article was published in September 2023 on the BMBC LinkedIn page. It has been updated for current events.
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