Sarajevo as a European Capital of Culture in 2014

23.3.2011

Question for oral answer O-000061/2011
to the Commission
Rule 115
Doris Pack
on behalf of the Committee on Culture and Education

Members of a recent Committee on Culture and Education delegation to Sarajevo were very impressed by the dynamism of the city’s cultural scene. They learned that the city intends to submit a bid to be granted the title of European Capital of Culture in 2014 (on an exceptional basis), and has undertaken extensive preparations to that end.

Given that Sarajevo was the site of the assassination that sparked World War I in 1914, this would be an important step in terms of burying the ghosts of past European divisions once and for all and showcasing the new Europe by nominating the city as a new-European-era European Capital of Culture.

From 1992 to 1996, during the Bosnian War, Sarajevo suffered the longest siege of a capital city in the history of modern warfare. It retained its intercultural character throughout, and has fostered it ever since. Sarajevo wants to leave the past behind and look enthusiastically to its European future. It deserves a chance to demonstrate its immense potential for interculturalism.

Having due regard to Decision 1622/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 2006 establishing a Community action for the European Capital of Culture event for the years 2007 to 2019[1], could the Commission, together with Parliament, consider making an exception for 2014?

Tabled: 23.3.2011

Forwarded: 25.3.2011

Deadline for reply: 1.4.2011

• [1]  OJ L 304, 3.11.2006, p. 1.