What’s left after Lublin’s start in the 2016 ECC competition?
Long-term results of the participation in the 2016 competition
This is the second time Lublin is running for the title of European Capital of Culture. Our previous application met with recognition, and the city was one of the finalists. Ultimately, Wrocław triumphed in the competition and held the title in 2016. However, the selection process itself brought many positive changes to Lublin. Both the residents and the increasing number of visitors benefit from these changes to the present day.
- New cultural institutions:
- Centre for Intercultural Creative Initiatives „Crossroads”
- Węglin Community Cultural Centre
- The Old Theatre
- The Workshops of Culture
- The House of Words
- Centre for the Meeting of Cultures
- creation of 9 branches of the Municipal Public Library
- creation of 2 branches of community cultural centres
- New festivals:
- The Night of Culture
- Re:tradition Festival (formerly: Jagiellonian Fair)
- Carnaval Sztukmistrzów
- East of Culture: Different Sounds
- Literary Festival "City of Poetry"
- Multicultural Lublin
- Festival of Tradition and Avantgarde Music "Codes"
- Lublin Jazz Festival
- Festival of Art in Public Space "Open City"
- European Festival of Taste
- Renaissance Culture Festival
These events contribute to the promotion of Lublin in the national media and show how investing in culture translates into building a positive image of the city and strengthening its position in Poland and Europe.
- Development of social and cultural organizations:
In 2006, Lublin co-financed 30 projects implemented by 20 organizations. In 2017 – 277 projects were implemented by 146 organizations. The following years, approximately 140 organizations received financial support for over 220 projects per year, with the total amount of subsidies in 2018-2023 amounting to approximately 22 million PLN.
- Prestigious awards:
- Council of Europe Award 2017
- European Heritage Label 2015
- An innovative programme for the development of culture in city districts
Since 2013, over 700 projects worth over 9 million PLN have been implemented in Lublin's districts.
- Participatory programs:
- Council for Culture of Space
- Civic Budget
- Green Budget
- Council for Culture
- Council on Public Benefit Activities
- Culture Congress
- Non-Governmental Organization Congresses
- Office of Social Participation
- the Local Initiative
- Civic Panel
- Economic development:
- S17 expressway
- hotel rooms – increased by 80%
- hotel occupancy – increased by 50%
- tourist traffic – increased by 123.8%
- Coalition of Cities
The unique legacy of Lublin's candidacy in the ECoC 2016 competition is the Coalition of Cities established at that time. For the first time in the history of the European Capital of Culture, cities competing for this title started cooperating. Apart from Wrocław, Gdańsk, Katowice, Lublin, Łódź, Poznań, and Szczecin also took part in the programme. Currently, the Coalition of Cities, expanded to include Kraków and Warsaw, is an exchange platform of experiences that connects Polish local governments and institutions.
