The exciting Brussels borough of Molenbeek has officially submitted its candidacy to become European Capital of Culture in 2030. The dossier was handed in to the Belgian selection team on Monday. Molenbeek will need to see off competition from Ghent, Bruges, Kortrijk, Leuven and Namur. On 24 October, we should know which Belgian municipalities advance to the next and final selection stage.
Of the six Belgian candidates, only one city will be allowed to bear the title European Capital of Culture 2030. That same year, Cyprus will also boast a cultural capital as will a third country from outside the European Union. That city could be in an EU candidate country or somewhere in the European Economic Area.
Molenbeek already enjoys the support of all 18 other Brussels municipalities. The dossier, known as the bid book, was submitted to the Belgian selection agency at its offices in the North District of Brussels on Monday.
In October each town will defend its bid in front of an international jury. This operation will take place at the Royal Library of Belgium on the Kunstberg in Brussels. The jury itself will only be announced a week beforehand. On 24 October, we will know whether Molenbeek advances to the next and final selection round. The winning city will be chosen at the end of next year.
‘We are confident that we will make it to the second round,’ says Jan Goossens of Molenbeek 2030. ‘This is certainly a day of great joy and relief for us. Our dossier is the result of two years of intense cooperation with cultural centres in Molenbeek and across Brussels, two universities, diversity centres and the government. We are very proud of it.’
Building bridges
Jan Goossens cannot yet reveal many details about the proposed programme, but it revolves around four central themes. ‘An equal and just city, a super-diverse city, a blue and green city, where people and nature live together better than today, and a safe city, with room for safe and brave spaces. These are big social issues, but we are convinced that artists, culture houses and residents must all jointly contribute towards the liveable city of tomorrow.’
The programme will feature Brussels youngsters as well as the city's colonial past and also focus on ‘connection’. There is also speculation about a large artists' trail along various municipalities, a programme on and around the River Zenne that is being uncovered as well as a new museum focusing on migration.