European Capitals of Culture

... should not be confused with UK Cities of Culture.

The European Capitals of Culture scheme was conceived in 1985 as an initiative of the Greek Minister of Culture, Melina Mercouri, and her French counterpart Jack Lang. Its aim was to bring Europeans closer together by highlighting the richness and diversity of European cultures and raising awareness of their common history and values.

The first European Capital of Culture (in 1985) was Athens. To date, two UK cities have held the title: Glasgow (1990) and Liverpool (2008).

Since 2007, there have been two European Capitals of Culture each year. In 2008, Liverpool shared the honour with Stavanger (Norway). The cities have been chosen for the years up to and including 2022; host countries have been decided as far ahead as 2033. Depending on the terms that are yet to be agreed for Brexit, a UK city may or may not be chosen for 2023, from a shortlist of Bristol, Dundee, Leeds, Milton Keynes, Truro, Belfast/Derry/Strabane and Nottingham.

The UK City of Culture scheme is administered by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. It aims to "build on the success of Liverpool's year as European Capital of Culture 2008, which had significant social and economic benefits for the area". It was first announced in January 2009, by Culture Secretary Andy Burnham. A working group chaired by television producer Phil Redmond decided that the designation should be given to a different city once every four years, starting in 2013. The first shortlist was comprised of Birmingham, Derry–Londonderry, Norwich and Sheffield, from which Derry was chosen. In 2017, Kingston upon Hull was chosen ahead of Dundee, Leicester and Swansea Bay.