She said: “Hosting the European Capital of Culture presents a unique and important opportunity to showcase a city, bringing with it an unprecedented focus at local, national and global level”.
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FOLLOWING euphoric scenes in Limerick City earlier this week during a street party to welcome the European Capital of Culture 2020 jury, it was announced a short time ago that Galway has successfully won the bid. Along the years, the European Capitals of Culture have grown in scope and size, contributing to the cultural, social and economic development of many cities and their neighbouring regions across Europe.
The city beat off competition from Limerick and the Three Sisters of Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford to share the accolade with Rijeka in Croatia. It is now a prestigious and fully mature year-long worldwide event with an established place in global cultural calendars.
Shortly after noon today, it was announced that the successful bid was Galway’s. I am confident that Galway will give visitors from Europe and all over the world the opportunity to discover the city and its cultural assets but also to appreciate the diversity of cultures in our European Union as well as our shared values.
Galway has been named European Capital of Culture 2020 at a ceremony in Dublin.
Not winning the title is a huge loss given the estimated value of hosting the Capital of Culture, but there still may be some good to come of it.
The European Capital of Culture was developed in 1985 and has, to date, been awarded to more than 50 cities across the EU, including Dublin in 1991 and Cork in 2005.
Gracious in defeat, both Limerick and the Three sisters have congratulated Galway on their win.
A live broadcast of the results will also be shown on a large screen at the end of Mainguard Street in the city.
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Current capitals of culture are Wrocław in Poland and Donostia/San Sebastian in the Basque country in Spain.
