Tourists are said by some to be nothing more than cultural parasites. Indeed like moths to light, they swarm to places that are rich in heritage and steeped in the arts. But to others rather than being a blight on culture, tourists represent everything that is culturally successful in this gobal community we are so eager to embrace. The late Greek Minister of Culture, Melina Mercouri understood this and created the mecca of tourist attractions. The European City of Culture initiative aims to capitalize on the belief that life revolves around culture, art and creativity.
Yes, the European City of Culture initiative, which in part aims to capitalize on this phenomenon, is the legacy of the late Greek Minister of Culture, Melina Mercouri, who proudly proclaimed, “Culture, art and creativity are not less important than technology, commerce and economics.”
When the program was launched in 1985, politicians from the European Member States voted annually to select the European City of Culture. However, over the years the structure of the program has continued to change. Special provisions were announced to mark the Millennium, when nine cities were selected. Since then, more detailed selection criteria have been introduced and the conferred title, now awarded on a rotational basis to any EU member state which may select, at its own discretion, more than one city to carry the award, is now European Capital of Culture (ECOC).
In 2005 the European Capital of Culture is Cork in Ireland. An extensive 12 month program of events will mark the year before Patras (Greece) assumes the mantle next year.
A report prepared for the European Commission which attempted to make comparisons between the experiences and successes of previous Capitals of Culture, concluded that whilst the “ECOC programme is a powerful tool for cultural development which operates on a scale that offers unprecedented opportunities for acting as a catalyst for city change…the ECOC often does not meet the objectives they set for themselves.” The report noted that sustainable achievements were more likely when cultural initiatives were integrated with other aspects of urban development. This was a key component in Liverpool’s successful bid to become the UK’s Capital of Culture in 2008.
There was fierce competition among UK cities for the accolade which can hardly come as a surprise given the serious financial boost to cultural projects provided by EU funds. An Economic Impact Study estimates that during the next 5 years Liverpool’s cultural and tourist infrastructure will benefit from an investment of over £2 billion and that employment in the cultural sector could grow by at least 14,000 jobs. The report cites studies that “point to a strong correlation between good design, quality public realm, investment in iconic buildings, positive image promotion, commerciality mixed with art and heritage”.
The study is in alignment with the EU’s cultural agenda ratified by the Maastricht Treaty: “In reinforcing the Union’s cultural role, the treaty officially recognized culture as a factor in European integration.” Through the ECOC program the EU is harnessing the hegemonic power of metropolitan culture with a broader strategy for regeneration. The results are impressive on many levels but there is also a danger that the culture championed by the ECOC may override any minority subcultures if these are not included in the broader strategy.
Any city selected to be a Capital of Culture can expect a wealth of short and long-term benefits in the form of infrastructure for the arts and a significantly enhanced profile, at least within Europe. Projects have sprung up or been nurtured purely as a result of the ECOC program, including the celebrated “Literature” project – a collaboration of the public libraries of the European Cities of Culture 2000.
For cities whose bids were unsuccessful there is often a lot of lamenting to be done. The UK government has tried to alleviate the pain by designating shortlisted cities as Centres of Culture with a corresponding promise of additional funding for projects.
Capitals of Culture rotate on a yearly basis but the benefits to the arts and the metropolitan area in general remain indefinitely. In the meantime tourists will be making the pilgrimage to Ireland.
