QUARTET: AN OPPORTUNITY AND A CHALLENGE
FIRST MOVEMENT: THE HISTORY
In 1985, at the suggestion of Greek Minister of Culture Melina Mercuri, the European Commission created the European Capital of Culture programme. For the next fifteen years, all of the great European capitals vied for the title. Then in the year 2000, the EU established a rotating system according to which all EU member states might apply in turn for the right of one of their cities to enjoy the title, and with it the attention of millions of Europeans throughout a given year. For 2008, Liverpool (Great Britain) and Stavanger (Norway) were accorded Capital of Culture status, and attracted millions of visitors. For 2016, the countries selected are Spain and Poland.
SECOND MOVEMENT: THE PROCESS
Near the end of 2009, the Government of Spain will officially call for candidates for the European Capital of Culture for 2016. At that moment, all Spanish cities who so desire can submit their applications. They will then have ten months in which to prepare a draft programme. In 2010, an International Jury will visit the cities, assess their proposals, and pre-select four candidates. Between 2011 and 2012, the pre-candidates will shape their final programmes in preparation for the moment when the winning candidate is selected. A great number of cultural events will take place in the course of the next four years, and in 2016, a vast programme of events will blossom in the city selected as European Capital of Culture.
THIRD MOVEMENT: THE CANDIDACY
Santander wants to become the European Capital of Culture in 2016. In order to achieve this goal, its proposed programme must win out over those of some seventeen other Spanish cities who have likewise indicated their intentions to seek the title.
The City Council of Santander has secured the energetic participation and backing of the Government of Cantabria, Banco Santander, and the Marcelino Botín Foundation. A managing body will be created under their joint sponsorship, and will include a number of co-operating businesses and institutions. At an extraordinary Plenary Meeting, the Santander City Council unanimously agreed to give its full political support to this project.
FOURTH MOVEMENT: THE CONCEPT
The EU Jury’s decision to opt for a given candidate is not necessarily determined by the size of the city, the wealth of its heritage, or the intensity of its cultural activities. Above all else, the EU privileges the European dimension of the project, the degree of civic and social participation foreseen, and the capacity of the event to transform the city selected.
Thus, while high esteem will be accorded to candidacies aimed at establishing European social networks, and at promoting exchanges involving artists, their works, and intercultural dialogue in general, intense consideration will likewise be given to high-quality programmes that stress commonalities among Europeans while also demonstrating cultural diversity both inside and outside of Europe. An important facet of any candidacy will be the promised level of involvement on the part of the general population, and on the part of artists and creators as well, with the programme itself operating as a catalyst that will unite the city’s efforts to its desires. Each proposal will also be judged on the basis of its degree of creativity, and on its stylistic relevance to contemporary art. Finally, the Jury will pay special attention to the extent to which the programme will provide long-term benefits to the candidate city, bequeathing to it cultural and other facilities, and thus causing both cultural and physical transformation. The distinction of having been the European Capital of Culture must therefore launch the city toward a level of modernisation shared by the most innovative and creative cities in the world.
