Bielsko-Biała in the second stage of the ECOC bidding process

Bielsko-Biała is one of four cities that have been shortlisted for the second stage of the bid to become European Capital of Culture 2029.

The European Capital of Culture is one of the European Union's largest cultural programmes. The title has been awarded since 1985 (initially as European City of Culture). It is "an initiative that puts culture at the heart of European cities with EU support for a year-round celebration of arts and culture." The programme aims to preserve and promote the diversity of cultures in Europe and highlight the common roots of our civilisation. It is also an opportunity to develop the city and the region through cultural activities.

The European Capitals of Culture 2023 are: Veszprém in Hungary, Eleusis in Greece and Timișoara in Romania. Nowadays, these are increasingly not large and well-known cities, but places with potential that have an idea of how to develop creatively. In 2029, the European Capital of Culture will be one Polish and one Swedish city. So far, only two Polish cities have celebrated winning the title: Krakow in 2000 and Wrocław in 2016.

After several months of meetings with citizens, workshops and work on the application, a group of representatives from the city of Bielsko-Biała presented the programme in Warsaw. From 23 to 26 October, at the headquarters of the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw, pre-selection meetings were held before a panel of independent experts consisting of 10 people appointed by the European Parliament, the Council of the EU, the European Commission and the Committee of the Regions, as well as two specialists appointed by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage.
The team from Bielsko-Biała presented itself first and, during the one and a half hour meeting, proved that we are a city with undeniable potential to become a European Capital of Culture.

A press conference was held on 27 October 2023 at 16.00, during which the finalists of the competition were officially announced. They are: Bielsko-Biała, Lublin, Katowice and Kołobrzeg.

More information about Bielsko-Biała's bid to become European Capital of Culture can be found on the dedicated website >>