The European Parliament adopted by 689 votes to 4, with 3 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Decision No 445/2014/EU establishing a European Union action for the European Capitals of Culture for the years 2020 to 2033.
Parliament adopted its position at first reading under the ordinary legislative procedure, supporting the Commission's proposal to extend the European Capitals of Culture 2020 to 2021.
The attainment of the action’s objectives presupposes mobility, tourism, organisation of events and public participation, which are extremely difficult if not virtually impossible in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a direct consequence of lockdown measures taken across Europe, cultural venues have been closed down and cultural events have been cancelled or postponed for an undetermined period of time.
The cities which currently hold and will hold the title of ‘European Capital of Culture’ are impacted to various degrees, primarily depending on the year for which they hold the title. It appears that the impact is strongest on the two cities holding the title in 2020 and the three cities preparing to hold the title in 2021, though the future impact on cities that will subsequently hold the title remains undefined.
The proposal to amend Decision No 445/2014/EU aims to:
- give Rijeka (Croatia) and Galway (Ireland) the possibility to extend their European Capital of Culture 2020 year until 30 April 2021, without changing the year of designation;
- postpone from 2021 to 2023 the year in which Timisoara (Romania) and Elefsina (Greece) shall be entitled to host the European Capital of Culture event;
- postpone from 2021 to 2022 the year in which a candidate or potential candidate country may apply to host the European Capital of Culture event.