engleski

Reimagining cultural capital: in search of a virtual European dimension

In order to promote a common European cultural identity and heritage, the European Union has been implementing the European Capital of Culture (ECoC) project for 35 years, in which more than 50 cities have participated so far. The city with the title received significant funds from the EU in order to valorize its cultural heritage and turn it into a lasting cultural and tourist product. There is an average of 500 events inthe award year and each winner collects an average of 26.5 million euros from the different sources. The money raised for the program is invested in the cultural development of cities, the renovation of the old, and the construction of new facilities and infrastructure. At the same time, the image of cities and their European identity and community is strengthening, so diversity ceases to be what divides, but becomes what unites. In this paper, the authors will elaborate great challenges faced by current and future title holders, Rijeka and Novi Sad, due to the corona virus pandemic.The conducted research, which included interviews with program managers and key stakeholders in Rijeka and Novi Sad, has shown thatinnovative approachof adapting the programto the situation and finding a model to implement what has already been planned, may best reflect the European spirit and endurance.On the other hand, the future of the project will be challenged not only by financial and techical issues, but alsoby emerging new formats, changing motives and expectations of increasingly immobile and jobless participants, closed beyond national borders, in search of a virtual European dimension.

European Capital of Culture ; Rijeka: Novi Sad ; COVID-19 ; pandemic

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