Culture Capital of Europe 2010

The Hanseatic City of Liibeck is applying for the title of "Culture Capital of Europe 2010" in competition with 11 other German cities. The final decision will be made in late 2005 or early 2006.

In order that cities in all of the 25 EU member states will have a chance to share in the contest in the foreseeable future, two European cities will hold this distinguished title in 2010, as it has sometimes been the case in the past. Beside the German city there will be a European cultural capital in Hungary as well.

Liibeck is optimistic about obtaining the title - and there are many reasons why it has such a good chance. Even in the past the old Hanseatic city profited from a cultural infrastructure far superior to that of other German cities of its size due to its status as an independent city-state, which lasted until 1937. The historical centre of Liibeck has a wealth of historical buildings, which is why the Old City has been protected as part of the UNESCO Cultural Heritage since 1987. Liibeck has another great advantage compared with other German competitors such as Bremen, Potsdam, Karlsruhe or Kassel: its ideal geographic location. Situated on the southwest brim of the Baltic Sea, Liibeck has for centuries been the centre of trade for men and merchandise between the Baltic Sea cities and the continent. The town even earned the medieval title of "Queen of the Hanse". This position will be turned to good account during the event year of 2010 by offering each of the states bordering on the Baltic Sea a month-long platform in Liibeck to present their culture to the people of Europe, thus giving the new EU members, as well, an opportunity to grow together not only through political and economical cooperation, but also through cultural integration. Liibeck's historical Holsten Gate will serve as a symbol for this encounter.

In light of this competition strategy, the City of Liibeck kindly requests the member cities of the UBC to show their support for Liibeck's application by contacting the German Federal Council, the German Federal Parliament and the EU Commission in Brussels, either directly or via their national governments.