Aarhus 2017 attends opening blasts in Mons and Pilsen

In 2015, Belgian city Mons and Czech city Pilsen are European Capitals of Culture. Aarhus 2017 participates in the opening ceremonies of both cities in January.

2014 has just ended, and with it the year as European Capitals of Culture for Swedish city Umeå and Latvian city Riga. The baton has now been passed to respectively Mons in Belgium and Pilsen in the Czech Republic, who will have the honour in the upcoming year.

Therefore, each city will celebrate with a grand opening ceremony. In Pilsen, the grand opening of the Capital of Culture year takes place on Saturday, January 17, while Mons will open their cultural year the following weekend, Saturday 24 January.

Aarhus 2017 is represented on both occasions. In Pilsen Strategic Development Manager Sophie Hayles and Programme Officer Mie Pedersen participate in the festivities, while Programme Coordinator Trine Bang and Head of Communications Bent Sørensen travel to Mons.

Managing Director of Aarhus 2017 Rebecca Matthews looks forward to follow the two capitals of culture in 2015:

"I wish Mons and Pilsen the best of luck in the year to follow. They are two very interesting European cities and it will be exciting to follow how hosting will shape the cities. For Aarhus 2017, it is a gift to be able to share experiences with the two Capitals of Culture, as it is a great help in our preparations to our own year as European Capital of Culture in 2017," says Rebecca Matthews.


The two Capitals of Culture
Read more about the two Capitals of Culture and get an overview of what the cities have to offer and the events they have planned in 2015:
Website for Mons 2015
Website for Pilsen 2015

Læs også:
Article in English Newspaper The Guardian on Mons
Article in English Newspaper The Independent on Mons
Article in The Guardian on Plzeň