Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, Namur and Louvain are the three finalists for the title of European Capital of Culture 2030, for which six Belgian cities had applied.
A panel of international experts, comprising 12 European members - including two Belgians - announced the three finalists on Thursday afternoon. Kortrijk, Bruges and Ghent were eliminated.
"I'm very happy," said a delighted Catherine Moureaux, Mayor of Molenbeek. ‘We worked very hard and thousands of people took part in our events. I'm sure we'll be selected. We will continue to work hard."
Brussels Minister-President Rudi Vervoort recalled that Molenbeek's bid was launched in the wake of the 2016 Brussels terror attacks. "The aim was to restore the image of Molenbeek and Brussels, and to prove that it's not a ‘shithole,' as former US President Donald Trump said at the time," he said.
All the other Brussels municipalities and Brussels-Capital Region are backing Molenbeek's bid.
The selected cities have until Autumn 2025 to submit their plans, and the winner will be announced at the end of that year. The final selection will include a visit by the jury to each of the three cities and a further presentation to the jury.
"These next nine months will be decisive for Molenbeek’s future," the municipality noted on the Molenbeek bid website. "We are confident in our ability to deliver, but we will need the full support of our civil society, partners and local governments to succeed.
"Together, we can ensure that Molenbeek continues to rise as a lighthouse of culture, diversity, and creativity – not just for Brussels, but for Europe and all the Molenbeeks our continent harbors/is home to," it added.
