Ukrainian Lviv advances to finals of European Capital of Culture 2030 competition with Montenegrin city of Nikšić

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.

Напомним, конкурс «Европейская столица культуры», основанный Европейским Союзом в 1985 году, ежегодно отмечает города, демонстрирующие выдающийся культурный потенциал. Титул не только способствует развитию культуры, но и приносит значительные экономические и социальные выгоды городу-победителю.

Следующие два года будут определять будущее Львова в этом конкурсе. Осенью 2025 года Еврокомиссия объявит победителя, который станет четвертой культурной столицей Европы среди стран-кандидатов после Нового Сада (Сербия, 2022), Бодо (Норвегия, 2024) и Скопье (Северная Македония, 2028).