Hotel & Tourism SMARTreport #45

Hotel & Tourism
SMARTreport #45
2020 Winter Edition 25
25
EUROPEAN CAPITALS
OF CULTURE
Galway, Ireland and Rijeka, Croatia host cultural events
as part of celebration of cultural diversity
The European Capital of Culture is a city designated by the European Union
for a period of one year during which it is given a chance to showcase its
cultural life and cultural development. A number of European cities have
used the City of Culture year to transform completely their cultural base
and, in doing so, the way in which they are viewed internationally.
© László Szalai
2020 is a “double whammy” for Rijeka since
Croatia is also holding the presidency of the
EU. As the largest Croatian port, the city
has become the centre of a significant and
extensive culture and arts programme and
host for a swathe of artists from the global,
Croatian and European cultural scenes.
A NUMBER OF
EUROPEAN CITIES
HAVE USED THE CITY
OF CULTURE YEAR
TO TRANSFORM
COMPLETELY THEIR
CULTURAL BASE
Nestled between the Mediterranean,
Central European and Eastern European
influences, Rijeka has been part of as many
as seven different countries over the past
century of its development. A small-scale
Europe of sorts, it has become a place
for dynamic life, a symbol of the spirit of
libertarian and progressive ideas, and a city
where everyone is always welcome. As part
of the European Capital of Culture project
in 2020, Rijeka has built and opened new
cultural buildings and facilities, which cofinanced
by EU funds, offering over 600
cultural, arts and other events involving
more than 250 cultural institutions and
organisations from Croatia and 40 other
countries from Europe and the rest of the
world.
The cultural programme in 2020 introduces
Rijeka and its distinctive features to Europe,
while at the same time placing current
European cultural and social issues at the
forefront. The three main programme
themes were chosen as symbols of the
intertwining identities of Rijeka and
contemporary Europe: water, work and
migration.
Meanwhile, in Ireland, the Galway
2020 programme brings to life themes
of language, landscape and migration.
Structured around the old Celtic calendar
of Imbolc, Bealtaine, Lughnasa and
Samhain, Galway 2020 begins in February
and runs through until the end of January
2021. During the year, visitors will discover
events imagined into existence by artists
who have Galway running through their
veins, interwoven with an outsider’s
view, as European artists unveil their own
interpretations of these themes. Marking
the passing of winter and the blossoming
of an extraordinary new year, the opening
event celebrates the quintessential values
of “Irishness” – courage, creativity and
resilience. Taking place in the open air,
everyone is welcome and the event is free
to attend
Hill fort in Trsat district,
Rijeka, Croatia
An old street in Galway,
Ireland