The report

On 11 January 2024, the European Capitals of Culture (ECoCs) of 2023 officially handed over their titles to the cities and regions which will represent the European Capitals of Culture in 2024. Elefsina (Greece), Timișoara (Romania) and Veszprém-Balaton (Hungary) passed on the title to Bad Ischl Salzkammergut (Austria), Bodo (Norway) and Tartu (Estonia), during a ceremony which took place for a second year in a row at the Acropolis Museum in Athens.

A flame for culture and a common future! Since 1985, when Athens was designated as the first European Capital of Culture on the initiative of Melina Mercouri, former Greek Minister of Culture, along with her French counterpart, Jack Lang, more than 60 cities across the European Union and beyond have been awarded the title. The objective was to gather European citizens closer together by highlighting the wealth and diversity of European cultures and raising awareness of their common history and values. European Capitals of Culture collaborate, bringing people and cultures together. To strengthen this cooperation and stress the importance of celebrating culture – our common fundamental right and pillar of the European way of life – an Official Handover ceremony is held in Athens, Greece, as an opportunity for Official Representatives to reaffirm the meaning and purpose of the European Capitals of Culture and the unique experience the go under.

Official Handover 2024

The evening’s moderator, the journalist Elena Papadimitriou, welcomed all the attendants at the Handover Ceremony 2024. “Tonight, here at the Acropolis Museum in Athens, we witness the symbolic passing of the flame, as the three European Capitals of Culture for 2023 officially hand over their titles to the cities set to represent this prestigious honour in 2024.

Nikolaos Stabolidis, Director of Acropolis Museum took the floor and stated that “Athens should be the city where all hand overs, these ceremonies will take place at the Acropolis Museum. I will very much love and accept this proposal.”

Gyula Porga, Mayor of Veszprém, underlined the importance of the ECoC 2023 title for the city, noting that “ the key to our success was cooperation and that everyone could take part in the creating and forming of the programmes as well besides participating in them.” Friderika Mike, Director of programme development of Veszprém-Balaton 2023 referred to the “3,500 cultural events that attracted residents and visitors to Veszprém and the region’s 116 towns, cities and villages” and shared her “hope and wish that the 2024 ECoC cities will benefit from the efforts just as much as we did by building a Region of Creativity in Veszprém.”

Cosmin Tabără, Deputy Mayor of the Municipality of Timișoara, proudly stated that “Timișoara couldn’t have won the title at a better juncture, as it revived its creative spirit and sparkled the pride of residents for their city. In total, 1.3 million participants enjoyed the 2,000 events that took place this past year and more than 3,000 volunteers flooded the city.” Ms Ramona Laczko David, Timișoara 2023 Programme Coordinator, continued by laying emphasis on the fact that “programmes like the European Capitals of Culture are not just a one-year event. They are in fact a major layer in the transformation of cities and in realising how culture can be a driving force in keeping cities sustainable, accessible, and appealing in an increasingly challenging global political context, marked by a multitude of environmental challenges.”

Ms. Lina Mendoni, Minister of Culture of Greece, mentioned that “despite the fact that the European Capital of Culture is an initiative of the state, the case of 2023 Eleusis was instantly embraced by civil society and the artistic community. […] European culture is neither a succession nor a confluence of intellectual and artistic currents. On the contrary, it is a long-standing, deep cultural capital that remains alive and vital, evoking innovation and creativity.” After thanking the ECoCs of 2023, Ms Soultana (Nana) Spyropoulou, CEO of 2023 Eleusis, addressed those of 2024 stating: “This journey holds many challenges, but with strength, patience – and, above all, faith in the idea that culture unites people, countries, and the whole of Europe, it can be a powerful agent of sustainable development. I am confident of your success.”

The Austrian Ambassador in Greece, H.E. Ms. Gerda Vogl noted that “culture is a wonderful and potent unifying element,” that she personally enjoyed “the very successful ECoC of Elefsina 2023,” and wished “great success also to the first ever non-urban European Capital of Culture in the beautiful region of Bad Ischl Salzkammergut in Austria for 2024!” Elisabeth Schweeger, 2024 Bad Ischl Salzkammergut Artistic Director, insightfully pointed out that “at a time where isolationism is increasing and gaps are widening, art and culture could be the only means to hold back these centrifugal forces and help bridge these rifts.”

Odd Emil Ingebrigtsen, Mayor of Bodø, took the floor reminding that “for the first time ever a city in the Arctic has been chosen to be among the European Capitals of Culture,” hoping that “through the Bodø2024 project we can also develop new business collaborations.” André Wallann Larsen, General Director at Bodø2024, on behalf of the whole team, stated that “Bodø2024 is very proud to take over the baton from the three 2023 cities,” and in this difficult situation with a war even in Europe itself, “the European Capital of Culture is peace work in action.”

Mayor of Tartu, Urmas Klaas, stressed out that “the year-long programme will bring over 1,000 events to people of all ages, it will present the story of the Arts of Survival, which is truly crucial,” and that “inspired by the cultures and diversity of Europe, we build a better tomorrow.” Following on, Kuldar Leis, Tartu 2024 CEO, presented his city’s convivtion that “the European Capital of Culture is a co-creation of grandparents, mothers, fathers, and children alike. By creating together, we can create a more connected community, more connected society, more connected Europe.”

Among the highlights of the event was the joint moment of toasting. Michail Marmarinos, 2023 Eleusis General Artistic Director, invited on stage the representatives of 2023 and 2024 ECoCs to share toasts and celebrate togetherness, to the sounds of Nicky Kokkoli’s saxophone. In his own words “in the Greek language, these drinks we’re sipping contain in their name the word ‘PNEUMA,’ which means ‘spirit’! As such, this is a spiritual ceremony! Toasting seems to be one of the oldest and deepest rituals among humans as it is spectacularly depicted by an ancient Greek figurine that dates back to 2700 BC, “the cup bearer,” poised as if ready to propose a toast. Τoasting may transcend all boundaries – even that of Time. Βy this very human ceremony, this very moment we experience something that is not to be underestimated; Alliance, Unity! Unity! Unity!”

Nancy Braun, General Director at Esch2022 European Capital of Culture, who was the visionary behind the idea of the Athens ECoC Official Handover Ceremony, said “This event is a significant moment! It was a special gesture reminding us of our common mission. We stand together for a united European culture that promotes cohesion and peace. I am very proud to be a member of this wonderful family of ECoCs and humbly contribute to the European way of life.”

The event was honoured by the presence of Team Leader for Cultural and Creative industries of the European Commission, Mr. Sylvain Pasqua, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Georgios Kotsiras; members of Parliament for Western Attica, Mr. Athanasios Bouras and Mr. Evangelos Liakos; Deputy Regional Governor for Spatial Planning, Urban Planning Issues & Applications, Mr. Eleftherios Kosmopoulos; Deputy Regional Governor of Western Attica Mr. Cleanthes Varelas; Deputy Mayor for Culture of the City of Athens, Ms. Eleni Zontirou; Deputy Mayor for Education of the City of Athens, Mr. Panagiotis-Paris Charlaftis. Also present were the President of the Municipal Council of Elefsina, Ms. Maria Charalampidi, the Deputy Mayor with responsibilities of the former Central Union of Municipalities of Greece, Mr. Charalambos Tzafaras, as well as Municipal Councilors Mr. Leonidas Pappas, Ms. Evaggelia Vezou, Mr. Dimitrios Tsatsis, Mr. Efstratios Talaveridis, Mr. Ioannis Giannikos, Mr. Georgios Iliopoulos. Mr. Dimitris Papagiannaros and Mr. George Liontos attended the ceremony on behalf of the Board of Directors of 2023 Eleusis. Additionally, present at the event were Ms. Georgia Lassanianou, Director of Corporate Responsibility of the Hellenic Petroleum Group; Mr. Ioannis Kyriakopoulos, General Manager of Real Estate; and Ms. Elli Kakoullou, Assistant General Manager of Real Estate of the National Bank of Greece Group.

UNITY – The Flame

The Official Handover as well as European history were symbolically embodied by an art sculpture, a work by Luxembourgish glass sculptor Pascale Seil (“Made by Seil”). Structure: for power and infinity. Glass: for transparency and lightness. Colours: for diversity and cohesion. UNITY FOR EUROPE. The glass sculpture was inspired by a famous story from Greek mythology: the abduction of King Agenor’s daughter, Phoenician maiden “Europa,” to which the continent owes its name. The myth of Europa, who infatuated Zeus, the king of all Olympian Gods, with her striking beauty and grace, has inspired many writers, historians, painters, and European politicians throughout the centuries. The nymph Europa also inspired the Luxembourg artist Pascale Seil to create “The Bull.” Based on Greek mythology, Zeus metamorphosed into a white bull to escape the anger of his wife Hera. He kidnapped Europa and took her to the island of Crete, where he revealed his true identity and impregnated her. Europa gave birth to Minos, who would become king of Crete.

The horns of “The Bull” represent power; the circle, which carries the horns of the bull, represents volenity and infinity. The sculpture is constructed of 47 layers of coloured glass, each representing one of the European countries. It evokes transparency and lightness, as well as movement through the twisting of the coloured layers. The colours of Europe – blue and yellow (gold) – dominate. The history, the shapes, and the colours of all the different layers symbolise Europe as a unified body composed of individual identities and peculiarities.