Every year since 1985, the European Union has bestowed the title of European Capital of Culture on one of its cities. The 27 Member States are all invited to host the event in turn. After Lille in 2004, a French city will once again be nominated as the European Capital of Culture in 2013: a city in Slovakia (still to be named) will share the title for that same year.Bordeaux has always had a European vocation, linked in particular to the activity of its port, to its international trade in wine and to the successive waves of immigrants and emigrants which have marked its long history. With the wealth of its activity in all the main artistic fields, Bordeaux, now listed as part of UNESCO’s World Heritage, will, through its candidature, defend the European attraction of a rapidly changing city.
Our candidature will also be that of South-West Europe. As citizens of « old Europe », heirs to centuries of European history, we live in a Europe now open to 27 countries, where the centre of gravity has shifted to the north and east. Bordeaux is today on the fringe of the continent such that our candidature will assert its unique geographic and cultural position as a Latin, Southern and Atlantic entity.
Following a meeting between Mr Alain Juppé, Mr Alain Rousset and Mr Philippe Madrelle, the Aquitaine Regional Council, the Gironde County Council and the Bordeaux Urban District Council all decided to back the candidature. The solidarity between those four local authorities can but encourage you to join us with your own projects, initiatives, suggestions or quite simply your support.
Taken from the bordeaux 2013 website : http://www.bordeaux2013.eu/
