MARSEILLE-PROVENCE

Find more information
and support the application on 
www.marseille-provence2013.fr

 
What is a European Capital of Culture ?

In 2013, two cities – one French and one Slovak – will be designated as European Capitals of Culture.
All through the year, each city will organise a programme of outstanding cultural events, with exhibitions, shows, workshops and popular festivals, some of which, it is hoped, will go on to become regular features of the city's cultural scene.

A new image, significant economic spin-offs and a revitalised cultural life are among the benefits for designated cities.
The resounding success of Lille 2004 is there to prove it.

Forthcoming capitals between now and 2013 are Liverpool (UK) and Stavanger (Norway) in 2008, Linz (Austria) and Vilnius (Lithuania) in 2009, Essen (Germany), Pécs (Hungary) and Istanbul (Turkey) in 2010, Turku (Finland) and Tallinn (Estonia) in 2011, Guimarães (Portugal) and Maribor (Slovenia) in 2012 and a French city and Slovak city in 2013.

Marseille-Provence was short-listed in 2007 from eight candidates. It is competing alongside Lyon, Bordeaux and Toulouse during the final run-up to the end of 2008, when a European jury will select one of the projects submitted.

Why Marseille-Provence?

Because Marseille-Provence has high cultural ambitions, reflected in the energy of the people involved and what is on offer.  In Marseille-Provence, cultural life is seen as one of the keys to social integration and is a fine blend of academic and popular culture.
Because Marseille-Provence is cosmopolitan, making it the ideal testing ground for cultural exchange. Because its geographical location and its wealth of cooperative projects make it a strategic centre for Euromediterranean policy.

Europe and the Mediterranean

The Marseille-Provence project is built around two main concepts.
One is international in scope and is aimed at setting up a structure where Europe and the Mediterranean countries can meet. 
The other is more local, focusing on the role of art in public life and helping to regenerate the region.
This part of the project is called the "Euromediterranean Workshops".

The Marseille-Provence area

The city of Marseille has joined with neighbouring towns and urban areas to form an economically and culturally cohesive area to support the project.
Today, Marseille-Provence represents:

- 2 million inhabitants,
- 130 municipalities,
- 6 urban communities.

The partners of Marseille-Provence
The Marseille-Provence project is led by an association working hand in hand with players on the cultural scene. The association was founded by all the local government authorities in the area, representatives of business and industry via the Marseille-Provence Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the four universities in the area, the Port of Marseille Authority and EuroMéditerranée, the Bouches du Rhône General Council and the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Regional Council.