The story of the European Capital of Culture is the stuff of modern day legend. It was an idea born at Athens airport in January 1985, on a day of high winds and frequent delayed flights. Sitting in the lounge waiting for their planes were glamorous former actress Melina Mercouri, then Minister of Culture for Greece, and her French counterpart, the charismatic Jack Lang. As they killed time in lively conversation, Ms Mercouri came up with the idea of launching a series of yearly events that would put the spotlight on cities around Europe and their role in the development of European culture. Twenty-five years later and the European Capital of Culture is now Europe’s most ambitious cultural project both in scope and scale, far exceeding those of any other cultural happening. So far, 41 cities have carried the title and the event has acquired considerable prestige and meaning.
When Malta hosts the European Capital of Culture in 2018, it may grasp the opportunity to transform and regenerate its cultural and urban landscape. One of Malta’s challenges in the years ahead will be to integrate its cultural objectives within its wider social and economic aspirations. The fundamentals to achieve this strategy will be reached by providing an integrated framework of cultural infrastructure and the right mix of incentives for culture and the creative economy, together with the increased participation of artists, creatives and the public at large.
Hosting a European Capital of Culture will require the wholehearted involvement of both the government and the people. Ownership of the project is crucial for it to be successful. Malta needs to prepare for a culture-led regeneration project in order to make benefits of the European Capital of Culture last beyond the scope of 2018. Malta’s investment in this regard will provide a sound platform for an excellent popular and artistic cultural programme set within a European dimension. It is this well researched, centred and co-ordinated approach that will cause a sustainable legacy.
After 25 years of European Capitals of Culture, their urban and economic potential and the role they play in promoting social cohesion is undeniable. The criteria for obtaining the title have become more demanding, with the European agenda and the long-term effects increasingly emphasised. Nor is obtaining the title a guarantee of success – this will depend on many factors, including how the city prepares itself for the event, ensures funding, organises governance, involves the various cultural operators and the way it designs its programme. Success is also about gauging a city’s identity and creating one for the future.
There are three things, however, that a European Capital of Culture cannot do without: the quality of its cultural programme, support from the business community and support from the political authorities. A key challenge for any European Capital of Culture is to ensure the project forms part of a long term political commitment and strategy to develop itself into – and to remain – a creative city, through culture.
Liverpool in 2008 was arguably the most successful capital of culture ever, certainly the most visible and, thanks also to an ongoing research programme, still an important measure for those places that wish to become one. Their maxim was: It’s our time and it’s our place. Well, Malta’s time is coming up and our chance to get it right starts now.
Today, the launch of a call for bids will be made that will hopefully lead to the submission of an excellent project proposal in October 2011, for review by a selection panel made up of international and independent cultural experts. The final decision on the European Capital of Culture in Malta in 2018 will then be made in September 2012.
The author is chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Commission for the European Capital of Culture in Malta in 2018.