Photos: three European Capitals of Culture to explore in 2024

In 2024, three European towns carry the Capital of Culture label. Throughout the year, these cities aim to "highlight the diversity of cultural wealth in Europe and the links that unite us as Europeans," as the European Commission states. The first is Bad Ischl, a small town of 13,600 inhabitants in the Salzkammergut region (Upper Austria), southeast of Salzburg.

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Between mountains, forests, and lakes, Bad Ischl has a captivating natural charm. Bad Ischl is one of the most renowned spa resorts in Austria and Central Europe. The thermal springs in its region are renowned for their healing properties and attract many tourists each year in search of well-being.

Photo: Maria / Unsplash

This Austrian city is also known for its representation of the country's imperial history. It notably houses the Kaiservilla, a villa that was the summer residence of Emperor Franz Joseph I and Empress Sissi.

Throughout 2024, hundreds of events will take place in Bad Ischl around four major themes: power and traditions, culture and evolution, the art of travel, and global/local. Among the events not to be missed, there are thematic hikes on the history of the region, a major musical festival for the summer solstice, and the inauguration of a new literature museum dedicated to writer Hugo von Hofmannsthal.

In the far north of Europe, another European Capital of 2024 is Bodø. This Norwegian city of 53,000 inhabitants is located just above the Arctic Circle, in Nordland. Thsi geographical position offers spectacular landscapes, mixing fjords and mountains.

Bodø is home to Norway's largest military air base and plays a crucial role in the country's defense. It was, for example, the home base for the NATO Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) mission until 2022.

Thanks to its landscapes, Bodø offers tourists many outdoor activities, such as hiking, exploring the fjords, or fishing.

Libraries, museums, art galleries, theaters... Bodø is also full of cultural activities. It hosts numerous festivals throughout the year.

This year, Bodø has a busy cultural agenda! On the program: exhibitions of all kinds, concerts, and even the first European LEGO League championship.

With almost 100,000 inhabitants, Tartu is the second-largest city in Estonia and is considered its intellectual capital. It is located close to the Russian border, and 160 km southeast of Tallinn.

The University of Tartu is one of the oldest (founded in 1632) and most renowned universities in Europe. It plays a central role in the development of nightlife, attracting students from all over the country and the world. We owe to them a young and dynamic atmosphere throughout the city.

Tartu is also known to be a major cultural and historical center in Estonia. It is home to many museums and theaters and preserves historic architecture in the heart of its city center.

Designated as one of the European Cultural Capitals of the year 2024, Tartu has implemented the program 'Ellujäämise Kunstid' ('Survival Arts'), divided into four parts: Tartu with Earth, Tartu with Humanity, Tartu with Europe, and Tartu with the Universe. Its cultural calendar includes no less than 1,000 events, including exhibitions, hikes, screenings, workshops, and concerts.

The 'European Capital of Culture'' label is an initiative of the European Union, implemented by the European Commission. The cities are designated four years before the start of their title year after the nations themselves have made an initial selection of their own.

In the photo: Matera (Italy), European Capital of Culture in 2019.

This international visibility offered to the designated cities allows them to attract tourists, students, and workers from all over the world. It comes with significant economic benefits. "We see that the cities will face an influx of visitors in the year of the title and that their cultural institutions welcome more audiences than in previous years," says the team leader of the European Capitals of Culture, Sylvain Pasqua.

In the photo: Mons (Belgium), European Capital of Culture in 2015.

In 2025, the cities of Chemnitz (photo) in Germany and two twin cities - Gorizia in Italy and Nova Gorica in Slovenia - get the status of European Capital of Culture. Visiting a city when it has this special status is a great idea because a lot is going on during that year!

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