The Ministry of Culture, in charge of the organization of the procedure for the designation of the French city that will be European Capital of Culture in 2028, announces the publication of the decree and the notice of competition as well as the opening of the call for applications.

The «European Capital of Culture» initiative was launched in 1985, on the idea of Mélina Mercouri, Greek Minister of Culture and the French Minister of Culture, Jack Lang.In France, the programme concerned the following cities: Paris in 1989, Avignon in 2000, Lille in 2004 and Marseille-Provence in 2013. In 2028, a French city will again be in the spotlight, as well as a city of the Czech Republic.

The organization of the European Capitals of Culture is an initiative of the European Union. Designed to safeguard and promote the diversity of cultures in Europe, to highlight the characteristics they share and to reinforce the feeling of belonging to a common cultural space, This initiative allows selected cities to promote their heritage and cultural vitality through the organization of exhibitions, festivals and other events. The visibility offered by the European label helps to strengthen the international influence and cultural tourism of the winning cities. It promotes the strengthening and promotion of local cultural actors, as well as the access of all citizens to culture.

The call for applications and the form are available on the website of the Ministry of Culture here.

An information meeting for candidate cities will be held in Q1 2022.

The timing of the designation:

  • December 2021: publication of the decree and the competition notice, opening of the call for applications.
  • First half of 2022: information campaign on the pre-selection and selection process of candidate cities.
  • December 1, 2022: deadline for submission of applications.
  • 1st semester 2023: pre-selection. The short list of the candidate cities selected to participate in the final selection is determined by the Minister of Culture in accordance with the report of the independent European jury.
  • December 2023: selection of the city, future European Capital of Culture.