Past European Capitals of Culture

2012: Guimarães and Maribor

• The European Capitals of Culture for 2012 were Guimarães (Portugal) and Maribor (Slovenia).

These cities were officially chosen in 2009 by the Council of the EU on the basis of the programmes they submitted and the selection panel's report on candidate cities for 2012. [32 KB]
Their preparations were followed closely throughout by the monitoring and advisory panel.

• Report from first monitoring and advisory meeting [52 KB]
• Report from second monitoring and advisory meeting [172 KB]

2011: Turku and Tallinn

• In 2011, Turku (Finland) and Tallinn (Estonia) shared the title European Capital of Culture.
Chosen in 2007 – in accordance with Decision on European Capitals of Culture 2005-19 – 1419/1999/EC and on the basis of the programme they submitted.

• Selection panel’s report [47 KB] on Turku and Tallinn
  Their preparations were followed closely throughout by the monitoring and advisory panel.
• First monitoring and advisory report [34 KB] – issued after panel’s meeting in November 2008
• Second monitoring and advisory report [52 KB] – issued after panel’s meeting in April 2010

2010: Essen for the Ruhr, Pécs and Istanbul

• In 2010, Essen for the Ruhr (Germany), Pécs (Hungary) and Istanbul (Turkey) shared the title European Capital of Culture.

• Selection panel’s report [49 KB]
• Report from first monitoring and advisory meeting [45 KB]
• Report from second monitoring and advisory meeting [62 KB]

2009:  Linz and Vilnius

• In 2009, Linz (Austria) and Vilnius (Lithuania) were the European Capitals of Culture.

• Linz 2009 (Austria)
• Vilnius 2009 (Lithuania)
• Selection panel report for European Capital of Culture 2009 [39 KB]

• European Capitals of Culture: from the very beginning

 

• European Cultural Months
Between 1992 and 2003, some European cities were chosen by the Council to host a cultural event similar to but shorter than the European Capital of Culture event. This initiative was called the European Cultural Month.