Larnaca’s European Capital of Culture team is racing to build the organisation needed to deliver a €27 million programme by 2030, with recruitment underway for key leadership positions.
Kelly Diapouli, Artistic Director of Larnaca 2030, told the Cyprus News Agency the project must expand rapidly from its current four-person team. An open call closing 30 January seeks a General Director and Communications and Marketing Manager, with the aim of filling all key positions by the end of March.
The Deputy Ministry of Culture must still formally designate Larnaca as European Capital of Culture 2030, Diapouli said. Whilst the expert committee’s decision was advisory, the ministry will adopt the recommendation and inform the European Commission and Parliament through the formal procedure.
Once formal designation occurs, the first year will focus heavily on procedural and organisational matters to secure funding. The Deputy Ministry has already announced €10 million for the cultural capital, but the timing of disbursements, payment schedules and terms remain under discussion.
The €27 million budget draws from multiple sources. The Municipality of Larnaca will contribute €7.5 million, the Provincial Organisation of Larnaca €2 million, with an estimated €3.5 million from sponsorships.
Another €2 million will come through competitive European programmes. The EU provides €1.5 million at the end of the process, Diapouli said, noting that cultural capitals receive their budget primarily from national sources.
Larnaca 2030 has already secured funding from two European programmes won last year. Under a social art project, six foreign artists will arrive in Cyprus for a month-long residency, working with residents of the Tsiakkilero and Agioi Anargyroi neighbourhoods. The collaborations will produce works for an October festival.
Between 6-8 May, near Europe Day, Larnaca will host a major European conference bringing together over 100 delegates from cities that are current candidates or past holders of the European Capital of Culture title.
Another European programme involves the European Network for Artist Mobility. The conference will focus on artists’ rights, improving working conditions for artists, with particular attention to at-risk, exiled and persecuted artists.
Diapouli said a celebration party will take place soon, inviting all artists who have worked on Larnaca 2030. In April, the organisation will convene all artists and cultural organisations from the city and province—both those already involved and those wanting to participate.
The event will present the programme, facilitate networking with European artists and organisations, and explain participation routes. The projects that will be presented in 2030 will emerge from this process, she said.
(information from CNA)