Львів потрапив у фінал конкурсу “Європейська столиця культури 2030”

Lviv has advanced to the final round of the European Capital of Culture 2030 competition and will now vie for the coveted title with Nikšić, Montenegro.

The next phase will require the finalists to fine-tune their applications by the summer of 2025, and the jury will announce their final decision in the fall of the same year.

Lviv became the first Ukrainian city to compete at this level this year. Preparing the application took almost six months, and over 500 experts in fields such as culture, education, history, psychology, and media contributed. The participants include professionals from cultural industries, artists, researchers, and partners from other Ukrainian cities and the Polish city of Lublin.

The overarching theme of Lviv's application is "Responsibility to Be." This idea has been developed through collaboration within the cultural community, recognizing culture's vital role in maintaining humanity during challenging times.

The program will feature various platforms showcasing contemporary art, literature, theater, and music and initiatives focused on urban infrastructure, research, and education. Special emphasis will be placed on addressing trauma, preserving the memory of those who have passed, documenting war crimes, promoting decolonization, and fostering inclusivity.

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The European Capital of Culture competition, founded by the European Union in 1985, annually recognizes cities that demonstrate outstanding cultural potential. The title not only promotes the development of culture, but also brings significant economic and social benefits to the winning city.

The next two years will determine Lviv's future in this competition. In the fall of 2025, the European Commission will announce the winner, who will become the fourth European Capital of Culture among the candidate countries after Novi Sad (Serbia, 2022), Bodo (Norway, 2024) and Skopje (North Macedonia, 2028).