2019 European Capitals of Culture: Plovdiv and Matera

Summary:

Plovdiv (Bulgaria) and Matera (Italy) became the European Capitals of Culture as of 1 January 2019, holding the title for a full year.

Further information:

Plovdiv became the first ever Bulgarian city to be chosen as European Capital of Culture. The opening celebrations were scheduled to take place from 11-13 January and the programme was built under the motto 'Together'. The programme for Matera was organised under the motto 'Open Future', and feature a special focus on social and cultural inclusion and collaborative innovation. The opening celebrations were set to take place on 19-20 January.

The initiative setting up a European Capital of Culture emerged in 1985. The cities are selected on the basis of a cultural programme that must have a strong European dimension, promote the participation and active involvement of the city's inhabitants and contribute to the long-term development of the city and its surrounding region.

• Primary Source

Commentary and Analysis

The Guardian, 22.09.18: Is Matera’s crumbling beauty ready for its year in Europe’s cultural sun? https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/sep/22/matera-italy-capital-of-culture-2019-unbuilt-roads-and-venues

---

News

Deutsche Welle, 03.01.19: Matera, European Capital of Culture 2019 https://p.dw.com/p/3Ayly

El País, 03.01.19: European culture looks east in 2019 https://elpais.com/elpais/2019/01/02/inenglish/1546450038_283274.html

The Sofia Globe, 03.01.19: Bulgaria’s Culture Minister: Some Plovdiv European Capital of Culture projects will not happen https://sofiaglobe.com/2019/01/03/bulgarias-culture-minister-some-plovdiv-european-capital-of-culture-projects-will-not-happen/

Euronews, 19.12.18: The miracle of Matera: city prepares for year of culture https://www.euronews.com/2018/12/19/the-miracle-of-matera-city-prepares-for-year-of-culture

The Local (Italy), 03.01.19: Matera, Italy's city of caves, contrasts, and culture https://www.thelocal.it/20190103/weekend-wanderlust-matera-italys-city-of-caves-and-contrasts

Euronews, 07.10.18: Matera and Plovdiv: 2019 European Capitals of Culture https://www.euronews.com/2018/01/19/matera-and-plovdiv-2019-european-capitals-of-culture

EurActiv, 08.01.19: Plovidiv and Matera: 2019 European Capitals of Culture https://www.euractiv.com/section/languages-culture/news/plovidiv-and-matera-european-capitals-of-culture-for-2019/

---

Official

Website of Plovdiv as 2019 European Capital of Culture https://plovdiv2019.eu/en

Website of Matera as 2019 European Capital of Culture https://www.matera-basilicata2019.it/en/

EUR-Lex: OJ L 128: Council Decision (EU) 2015/809 of 19 May 2015 designating the European Capitals of Culture for the year 2019 in Bulgaria and Italy https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32015D0809

European Commission: Press Release, 15/11/2013: Six Italian cities (Cagliari, Lecce, Matera, Perugia, Ravenna and Siena) short-listed for European Capital of Culture 2019 https://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-13-1092_en.htm

European Commission: Press Release, 12/12/2013: Four Bulgarian cities short-listed for European Capital of Culture 2019 https://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-13-1248_en.htm

European Commission: Press Release, 05/09/2014: Plovdiv to be 2019 European Capital of Culture in Bulgaria https://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-14-973_en.htm

European Commission: Press Release, 17/10/2014: Matera to be 2019 European Capital of Culture in Italy https://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-14-1176_en.htm

---