Recognition from the EU to Aarhus 2017

– The European Capital of Culture nominated for prestigious award

A strong international dimension, a beautifully balanced programme, strong relationships with regional partners and an exemplary business plan. Those are some of the complimentary comments to European Capital of Culture Aarhus 2017 in a report only just published by the EU.

There are both praising remarks, recognition and the prospect of the distinguished Melina Mercouri Prize of DKK 11m (EUR 1.5m) to European Capital of Culture Aarhus 2017. 

This is all to be found in the report ”Aarhus European Capital of Culture 2017 – Second Monitoring Meeting” that theEU has only just published on their homepage. The report has been prepared by the special EU panel, which has been given the task of monitoring the development of European Capital of Culture Aarhus 2017. And in this report, the members of the panel are impressed by the momentum of Aarhus 2017. 

The report, drawn up on the basis of a meeting between representatives from the EU and from Aarhus 2017, praises the high artistic level and the international profile of the programme, the strong regional anchoring and Aarhus 2017’s Strategic Business Plan (2016-2018) which is recommended as good practice for other Capitals of Culture.

”It’s very important for us to receive such an impressive assessment. I’m both proud and happy that the panel very strongly recognises the great effort that the Aarhus 2017 Foundation and all our partners have made to create an amazing 2017. We’ve had a really good dialogue with the panel. Several of the members have themselves carried out European Capital of Culture projects and therefore know the challenges involved with this. Thus, we also highly value the good advice and recommendations we’ve received ’along the way’,” says CEO of Aarhus 2017, Rebecca Matthews. 

In addition to the well-planned programme of a high artistic level, the strong relations to European and Danish partners, and a close collaboration with city councils and other local authorities, the panel also emphasizes a clear organizational structure and project management. On the basis of this, the panel recommends the Aarhus 2017 Foundation receive the prestigious Melina Mercouri Prize of DKK 11m (EUR 1.5m). It is expected that the EU Commission will make a decision on the panel’s report and recommendation at a meeting in September 2016. 

Facts:
The Melina Mercouri Prize is named after the previous Greek Minister for Culture who initiated the European Capital of Culture in 1985.

The report ”Aarhus European Capital of Culture 2017 – Second Monitoring Meeting” can be found on EU’s homepage: Download the report here.