The Flemish Brabant city of Leuven will be European Capital of Culture in 2030. The announcement was made by an international jury earlier on Wednesday. The candidates for the honour of being Europe’s cultural capital were the Brussels municipality of Sint-Jans-Molenbeek and the Walloon capital Namur.
Events organised during Leuven’s year as cultural capital won’t only take place in the city itself, but also in almost two dozen towns and municipalities across the east of Flemish Brabant. Around 3 million visitors are expected to visit what is being called LOV2030.
Leuven is the 5th Belgian city to become European Capital of Culture. It follows in the footsteps of Antwerp (1993), Brussels (2000), Bruges (2002) and Mons (2015). The Flemish Brabant city’s Lov2030 project was chosen over candidatures from Namur and Sint-Jans-Molenbeek that had also made it onto the shortlist.
The Chair of the jury that chose Leuven said that it was an easy decision and all three candidates on the shortlist had string and ambitious plans.
"The jury looked at the presentations submitted by each of the three cities and visited all of them. Their passion and professionalism has truly impressed us”. While reaching its decision, the jury considered each project's link with Europe, its cultural and artistic content, and the involvement of local people.
Each year since 1985, a city has been given the title of European Capital of Culture. In 2004 it was decided that there should be 2 capitals of culture. Each year 2 European countries are selected to put forward candidates. In 2030 Leuven will share the honour of being European Capital of Culture with a city in Cyprus.
The City of Leuven: "Let’s make 2030 an unforgettable year"
The announcement was greeted with loud applause by those watching it live in the Schouwburg van Leuven theatre. On its Facebook account the City of Leuven writes that "We are increably proud of the whole region, its people, the association and partners. Let’s make 2030 an unforgettable year”. The City of Leuven also congratulated fellow candidates Namur and Sint-Jans-Molenbeek.
In turn both Molenbeek and Namur sent their congratulations to Leuven.
In a press statement Molenbeek 2030 said that " This moment may feel like a pause in our adventure, but it's not the end. We commend the winner and will also contribute to their further development as a Cultural Capital”.