For the first time since 2011, one of the 2024 European Capitals of Culture will once again be located in Estonia, and the Ministry of Culture and the Association of Estonian Cities on November 29, announced a competition to determine which town or city will claim the title.

In 2024, a total of three European cities will hold the title — one in Austria, one in a European Free Trade Association (EFTA) member state, EU candidate country or potential candidate country, and one in Estonia, the ministry said in a press release.

According to Kadri Jauram, director of the Ministry of Culture's Foreign Relations Department, any Estonian town or city can apply to be chosen. "This is a competition where winning cannot be the only goal," she said. "The candidacy process will first and foremost provide cities with a good opportunity to raise the importance of culture as a binding agent between other spheres. This will all allow for the formulation of long-term goals, from urban planning and the allocation of investments to the  involvement of communities in decision-making processes."

An initial selection will be made from among potential Estonian candidate cities by next October, and the final selection for Estonia's 2024 European Capital of Culture will be made in fall 2019. The decision will be made by an independent expert committee which may include up to two representatives named by Estonia.

Entry requirements for the competition and other necessary information can be found on the Ministry of Culture homepage.

Tallinn served as European Capital of Culture in 2011, a year which, among other events, included the 11^th Youth Song and Dance Festival "The Land and the World" and the opening of the hangars of the Seaplane Harbour.

ERR News