European capital of culture: Community action, years 2005 to 2019

PURPOSE: to highlight the richness and diversity of European cultures and the features that they share, as well as to promote greater mutual acquaintance between European citizens via the annual European City of Culture designation. COMMUNITY MEASURE: European Parliament and Council Decision 1419/1999/EC establishing a Community action for the European Capital of Culture event for the years 2005 to 2019. CONTENT: this decision seeks to modify the procedure followed up to now regarding the designation of the 'European Capital of Culture' (intergovernmental designation procedure with unanimity in the Council). It provides that from 2005 onwards, the designation of the European Culture Capital will be done in a more transparent way and according to a procedure involving the other European institutions. However, the designation of the Capital can only be made in the context of a calendar pre-established by the Council for the period 2005-2019 and using a system of rotation of candidates by Member State. More specifically, the decision provides that: 1) Four years before the beginning of the event, the Member State cited in the list should submit to the Commission, the European Parliament, the Council and the Committee of the Regions the candidacy dossier of the eligible cities for the year under consideration; 2) The Commission will gather together each year a selection panel composed of important independent persons (7) who are experts in the cultural sector (2 designated by the Parliament, 2 by the Commission, 2 by the Council and 1 by the Committee of the Regions) who will be asked to compile a report on the various candidates put forward. The Parliament may transmit an opinion to the Commission on the candidate(s) within the three months that follow the report; 3) On the Commission's recommendation and in light of the Parliament's opinion and the report of the selection panel, the Council will designate the European Culture Capital for the year under consideration. The decision contains specific details regarding the presentation of the candidate's submission. The nomination shall include a cultural project of European dimension, based principally on cultural cooperation. This project may be undertaken in cooperation with other European cities. The submission shall specify how the nominated city intends to: - highlight artistic movements and styles shared by European which it has inspired or to which it has made a significant contribution; - promote events involving people active in culture from other cities in Member States and leading to lasting cultural cooperation, and to foster their movement within the EU; - support and develop creative work which is ab essential element in any cultural policy; - ensure the mobilisation and participation of large sections of the population and, as a consequence, the social impact of the action and its continuity beyond the year of the events; - encourage the reception of citizens of the Union and the widest possible dissemination of the various events by employing all forms of multimedia; - promote dialogue between European cultures and those from other parts of the world and, in that spirit, to optimise the opening up to, and understanding of others, which are fundamental cultural values; - exploit the historic heritage, urban architecture and quality of life in the city. The initiative is open to European non-member countries. These countries need to notify the Parliament, Council, Commission and the Committee of the Regions of their wish to participate in the initiative. The Council shall officially designate one of these nominated cities as a European Capital of Culture for each year. The list indicating the planning and evaluation criteria is set out in the Annexes. Each year the Commission shall produce a report evaluating the results of the previous year's event, including an analysis by the organisers of the latter. The report shall be presented to the Parliament, Council and Committee of the Regions. It should be noted that the decision does not modify the system of intergovernmental designation of the European Capital of Culture for the years 2001 to 2004 (the cities are Rotterdam and Oporto in 2001, Bruges and Salamanca on 2002, Graz in 2003, Genoa and Lille on 2004). ENTRY INTO FORCE: 27.07.1999.