With 20 votes in favor and 5 against, Helsingør Municipality's city council decided yesterday to immediately launch a preliminary study. This study will look at the potential and consequences of becoming a European Capital of Culture the next time the title comes to Denmark in 2032.
The preliminary study should be finished by May 2024 and will form the basis for political debate and the decision on whether Helsingør should proceed with the project. This means we can expect a final decision on the long-term project to be made in 2024.
As shown in the video coverage of the city council meeting, the majority of the City Council argued for following the recommendation from the administration and the culture committee. This recommendation includes a collaboration with Elsinore 2032 to move forward with the process. The association has been invited to help design the preliminary study, and the municipality has agreed to a cash grant of 50,000 kroner for the work.
This means the municipality is following its adopted cultural policy, which is valid until 2030. This policy was created after a comprehensive engagement process where associations, cultural institutions, and businesses were thoroughly consulted and invited to contribute with suggestions, ideas, and viewpoints.
Today, Helsingør is one of the strongest cultural municipalities in Denmark, and potentially in a European context too, in the long run.
Excerpt from Helsingør Municipality's Cultural Policy
The policy's ambition is for Helsingør Municipality's cultural scene to remain leading and innovative. It also aims to launch new initiatives and projects in the coming period that will be noticeable and make a difference for individual citizens and for the municipality's overall development.
Helsingør Municipality can't achieve this alone. It requires thinking about new forms of collaboration and funding. And it relies on active participation from civil society, the municipality's many strong cultural players, businesses, and external contributions from the state, foundations, and more.
Here at Elsinore 2032, we're really looking forward to the upcoming collaboration. If you'd like to support the association, either as a citizen or through your business, association, or cultural institution, it's super easy to join. Feel free to contact us with any other ideas or suggestions!
