Bruges wants to become the European Capital of Culture in 2030

The Bruges College of Mayor and Aldermen has decided that the Flemish city is a candidate for the European Capital of Culture in 2030. The decision comes 20 years after Bruges became the European Capital of Culture in 2002.

"We proved in 2002 that Bruges was a brilliant Capital of Culture of Europe," said Mayor Dirk de Fauw. "We are ambitious and are now applying for the title in 2030. We want to take up this great challenge with our cultural partners."

"The specific and original aspect of Bruges' candidacy could be that we do not demand more infrastructure but can provide existing and sometimes centuries-old infrastructure. As a result, the city can offer a stage or place to which different countries and artists can give their interpretation," de Fauw added.

In 2025, an international panel of independent experts will assess all European Capital of Culture applications after a pre-selection. A shortlist of candidate cities will be compiled from this, which will then submit their final applications.

One city per country will then be nominated for the title. In Belgium, the national advisory committee will make that recommendation in 2026. After that, the various candidate cities will spend the next four years - until 2030 - preparing for the title year.

_{#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO Nicolas Maeterlinck}