Bruges' College of Mayor and Aldermen has decided that the Flemish city will be a candidate for European Capital of Culture in 2030.
The decision comes 20 years after Bruges became European Capital of Culture in 2002.
"We proved in the year 2002 that Bruges was a brilliant European Capital of Culture," Mayor Dirk De Fauw said. "We are ambitious and are now applying for this title in 2030. Together with our cultural partners, we want to put our shoulders to this great challenge.”
Bruges sees itself as distinct from other candidates.
“The specific and original aspect of Bruges' candidacy could be that we are not going to beg for even more infrastructure, but rather offer our existing and sometimes centuries-old infrastructure and city as a stage or place to which various countries and artists can then give their own interpretation,” says De Fauw.
“Much more important than the promo story will be to confront the countless people from Europe and the world who come to Bruges with a topical, original message,” he adds.
In 2025, the applications submitted for European Capital of Culture will be reviewed by an international panel of independent experts after pre-selection. From this, a shortlist of candidate cities will emerge, and they will then submit their final bids.
One city per country will then be recommended for the title. In Belgium, the national consultative committee will make that recommendation in 2026.
The various candidate cities will then prepare for the title-year over the next four years - until 2030.
