Lemesos in the pulse of the bidding process
For the 2030 European Capital of Culture title
Inextricably linked to history, culture, literature and the arts, Lemesos is vying for the title of European Capital of Culture for 2030. Bidding for the title is a huge challenge for Lemesos, as the institution is the pinnacle of contemporary European cultural activity.
Lemesos’ pulse is being recorded by the Lemesos 2030 Organisation through a series of actions aimed at co-creating the bid book for the European Capital of Culture title for 2030.
During a press conference organised by the Organisation on October 3rd, a dynamic bidding process was presented through the active involvement of hundreds of people who live, work and create in the city.
Expressing the Limassol Municipality’s full support and dedication to the collective effort, the Mayor of Limassol, Mr. Nikos Nicolaides, expressed the strong belief that Limassol, as a city with a huge tradition in culture, a city with a brilliant cultural past and a similar present and future, has all the guarantees to win this coveted title. Most importantly, the success of the effort will be ensured by the enthusiasm and love for our city and its culture, of the hundreds people of culture who will be actively involved in the process of preparing our proposal.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of Lemesos 2030, Dr. Pittas, said that the Lemesos 2030 programme will certainly highlight the bright sides of the city, its history, its multicultural and open character, its huge artistic and cultural potential. Dr. Pittas stressed that through these plans, together with all the people of Limassol, our artists, creative minds, institutions, the university and our volunteers, we aspire to respond first to the challenges of our own city, but also of Europe. By 2030, he underlined, we want to listen to global issues and challenges, to discuss sustainability, the ecological crisis, inclusiveness and accessibility through the lens of culture.
For her part, presenting the objectives and the processes of the co-creation of the bid book, the Artistic Director of Lemesos 2030, Ms. Eleana Alexandrou, listed the various forms of participatory processes used by the Lemesos 2030 Team and referred to meaningful exchanges with citizens, which produce a wealth of views, experiences and positions for the long-term planning of a serious investment in the cultural sector in Lemesos and its human resources.
Alexandrou added that in multiple discussions with citizens, some key issues recur, such as the need to handle the rapid growth of the city and its aftermath, the need for cultural infrastructure, for strengthening cultural institutions or creating new programs, the need for a more accessible, inclusive city that activates curiosity, respect, connection, creativity, and of course takes care of its residents.
Alexandrou also referred to current and upcoming activities and events that aim to capture the pulse of the city, i.e. the desires, opinions and experiences of Lemesos’ residents. The actions announced include:
- the Open Office every Monday at the Lemesos 2030 base in the Municipal Buildings ‘Ploutis Servas’, for visits without an appointment between 16:00 – 18:00.
- the Mobile Office that travels to events and neighbourhoods of the city.
- the #Vibesensor – a short questionnaire that everyone can answer and will capture the pulse of the city during the bidding process. (Link to the #vibesensor).
- 10 10 100 – Views on the City and Culture, a large scale consultation exercise involving 100 citizens in a simultaneous discussion on 10 key issues of Lemesos.
- the creation of a new institution for the production of thought by the future adults of the city, today’s teenagers.
Finally, the speakers invited the people of Lemesos – artists and non-artists alike – to participate in this collective effort, to send their pulse, to share their opinions and to ally for ‘Lemesos of the next decade’.
In addition to representatives of the press, the conference was attended by collaborators and supporters of the bid for the title of European Capital of Culture 2030.
Information:
Lemesos 2030 ECoC Candidate City Office: 23 Misiaouli and Kavazoglou, Municipal Buildings ‘Ploutis Servas’, 3016 Limassol
Tel: 99800050 Email: info@lemesos2030.com
FB: @lemesos2030 | Insta: @lemesos2030