Larnaca has been declared Cyprus’s European Capital of Culture 2030, with the announcement sparking celebrations and embraces amongst the city’s delegation.
The result, broadcast live on YouTube and the Deputy Ministry of Culture’s social media channels, ends years of work for both Larnaca and rival candidate Limassol.
The award brings Larnaca the €1.5 million Melina Mercouri Prize, funded through the European Commission’s Creative Europe programme as recognition of the quality of the preparatory process.
Both delegations had felt cautious optimism and sweet exhaustion in the lead-up to today’s announcement, coupled with the belief they had done their best to meet the demands of the long, arduous race.
The Expert Committee visited Larnaca on Monday and Limassol on Tuesday before ten-member delegations from each city presented their vision in detail on Wednesday. The 12-member committee received final dossiers from both candidate cities one month ago.
Larnaca and Limassol made the shortlist of Cyprus’s leading candidate cities last February.
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