The Greek city of Elefsina has just won the title of “European Capital of Culture 2021” after being picked from a short list of cities including Kalamata and Rhodes.
“In 2021, Greece will host its fourth European Capital of Culture after Athens in 1985, Thessaloniki in 1997 and Patras in 2006″, Tibor Navracsics, European Commissioner responsible for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, said.
The EU initiative of cultural capitals has been a great success in promoting European culture through the cities and citizens, and was born out of an idea in 1985 by Greek Minister of Culture, Melina Mercouri and has grown into one of the most ambitious cultural projects in Europe and one of the best known – and most appreciated – activities of the EU.
“I look forward to seeing Elefsina give visitors from Europe and all over the world the opportunity to discover the city and its cultural assets but also to appreciate the diversity of cultures in the European Union as well as our shared values – this is today more vital than ever”, he said.
Navracsics added that , as many previous European Capitals of Culture have shown — the title can bring the selected city significant long-term cultural, as well as economic and social benefits. “Benefits that Elefsina now stands to reap as well”, he said.
There are three European Capitals of Culture for 2021. Elefsina in Greece, Timisoara in Romania and Novi Sad in Serbia, a candidate country for EU membership.
