European Capitals of Culture in 2025

Chemnitz in Germany and Nova Gorica in Slovenia have taken over the role of European Capitals of Culture in 2025. - The Slovenian city's acquisition of the title was overshadowed by a dispute over Gorica retaining its honorary citizenship for Benito Mussolini on the Italian side.

Cities holding the title of European Capital of Culture host cultural events throughout the year to encourage visits to the city and engage the population in cultural life. The title, awarded to centres not normally associated with a rich cultural offering, is intended to help create a positive image.

The German city of Chemnitz is organising its celebrations under the slogan ‘See the invisible’. As the EC communiqué reads, the city intends to strengthen the role of civil society by building, among other things, a network of ‘European democracy makers’. Chemnitz, called Karl-Marx-Stadt during the GDR in honour of Karl Marx, has been overshadowed by neighbouring Dresden or Leipzig since German reunification in 1990.

Nova Gorica will in turn share its title with Gorica, located on the Italian side. These centres used to be one city, which after World War II was divided between Italy and Yugoslavia (which at the time included Slovenia).

Nova Gorica's assumption of the role of European Capital of Culture was overshadowed by a dispute over whether the city on the Italian side would maintain its status as an honorary citizen for the fascist dictator Benito Mussoli

Nova Gorica will in turn share its title with Gorica, located on the Italian side. The two centres used to be one city, which after World War II was divided between Italy and Yugoslavia (which at the time included Slovenia).

Nova Gorica's assumption of its role as European Capital of Culture was overshadowed by a dispute over the city's retention on the Italian side of its status as an honorary citizen for fascist dictator Benito Mussolini. In November 2024, the city council voted to retain the title, which was condemned by the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Each year, the title of European Capitals of Culture is held by cities from two European countries. The cities located in them can take part in a competition for the title, which evaluates the cultural programmes they have prepared. These should have a European dimension and involve the various communities of the cities and their districts.

Chemnitz and Nova Gorica will receive a €1.5 million prize from the EC for winning the title.In 2029, the title of ‘capital of culture’ will go to Lublin. In 2000, it was Krakow, and in 2016. - Wrocław. The European Capital of Culture programme has been running for 40 years.