Yesterday, 24 City Council members agreed to extend Helsingør Municipality's membership in Elsinore 2032 for another year. While no political decision has been made to formally apply to become the European Capital of Culture in 2032, the path is now clear for a quick resolution in 2026.
“I can see that a lot of cultural players, businesses, schools, and citizens have joined the association. They've come together because there's a common project that everyone really wants to be a part of. It's bubbling up from below […] and I think we should bubble along with it”.
These were some of the many appreciative words for the work of Elsinore 2032, spoken when the City Council at Helsingør Town Hall debated the continuation of the municipality's membership in the association. They came from the incoming chair of the Culture and Tourism Committee, Ulla Kokfelt (DF), who also elaborated:
“We need to be curious about how we, together with cultural players, businesses, and citizens, can approach this with the funds and resources we have available […] It's a big yes from me”.
And so the debate continued. All around the room, there was a positive vibe about the municipality's membership in the association.
Watch the City Council debate on this agenda item from Helsingør Town Hall on Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Bettina Svinggaard (S) emphasized the importance of the association's work, regardless of the final outcome of a potential application for the title: “The Social Democrats are voting in favor because it's important to support and acknowledge that we actually have people here in the municipality who are so dedicated to culture, just like this association. No matter where we end up, I have no doubt that we'll see that all these people have been working hard for many years.”
Svinggaard spoke immediately after the outgoing chair of the Culture and Tourism Committee, Michael Mathiesen (K), had explained how he views the association's work as a significant contribution to the overall strategy for the municipality's development. He also pointed out that the work won't be wasted, even if it doesn't result in the prestigious title of European Capital of Culture, because the association has successfully brought so many players together for the same project, which is exactly what's happening.
[SEE THE ASSOCIATION'S MEMBERS HERE]
Bente Borg Donkin (SF) expressed that the municipality should sit down with the association and find solutions for a project.
Knud Mogensen (R) urged the municipality to ask Elsinore 2032 for a presentation on how an application comes together, and his party colleague Christian Holm Donatzky chimed in with an appeal to the incoming city council, which he himself is not a part of: “Keep your ambitions high and aim for the stars. It's no good if everything just ends up in spreadsheets. We need to have some visions. What will lift the city forward in the future is a focus on culture”.
Malthe Jacobsen (EL) shared his party's doubts about 'grand ideas'. However, the Red-Green Alliance still voted yes, partly because, as he put it, '...we have to acknowledge that there are some really passionate people running this association, and that's valuable in itself because it will bring together so many groups in the municipality. Maybe it won't become a Capital of Culture, but perhaps even something better.'
Mette Lene Jensen (V) also voted in favour, but she stressed that she's keen to see funding proposals that won't affect our welfare services.
Marlene Harpsøe (DD) was the only one to vote against it, due to concerns about funding. Even so, she had some kind words for the association: 'I really support the association and the idea of Helsingør becoming European Capital of Culture'.
If Helsingør wants a shot at winning the title, they need to move quickly. Earlier this month, the Minister of Culture launched the competition, with the deadline for pre-qualification applications set for October 5, 2026.
Since Elsinore 2032 was founded in 2021, its board has been talking with the municipality about the project. With the deadline now set, by early 2026, we'll have a solid foundation to decide whether Helsingør should really go for the title.
