The European capitals of culture for 2022 - Novi Sad (Serbia), Esch-sur-Alzette (Luxembourg) and Kaunas (Lithuania) have handed over their titles in Athens to capitals of culture for 2023 - Timisoara (Romania), Veszprem (Hungary) and Elefsina (Greece).
Elefsina is a municipality located 18 kilometers from the center of Athens and is part of its metropolitan area.
At a ceremony in Athens in the evening on Jan. 9, European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas said that European capitals of culture represented “what Europe is known and appreciated for, even far beyond its diverse culture: our principles of freedom, peace, justice, and human rights.”
“Culture is Europe and Europe is all of us – the six cities of today’s handover ceremony, and all European Capitals of Culture of the past and the future,” Schinas said.
The handover at the Acropolis Museum in Athens was symbolically portrayed with an artwork by Luxembourgish glass sculptor Pascale Seil. The sculpture represents Europe and is inspired by a famous Greek myth – the abduction of Europe, the daughter of Phoenician king Agenor, after whom the continent has been named.
To get full access to all content of interest see our
Subscription offer
Or
Register for free
And read up to 5 articles each month.
Already have an account? Please Log in.