Veliko Tarnovo is included in debates on the European capital of Culture event in Novi Sad and Siena

From 7 to 12 may, representatives of the team, which is preparing the candidature of Veliko Tarnovo for European capital of culture 2019, participated in two successive workshops related to the European initiative. One event was the Conference of the European countries of the Danube region titled "Danube cultural stream of Europe". It was held in Novi Sad, Serbia. The aim of the Conference was to provide a platform for the sharing of experiences from the work of cultural operators in the region for discussions on issues that concern contemporary cultural policy. Within the framework of the Conference, representatives of the three cities of the Danube region, bearing the title ECOC – Linz (2009), Pécs (2010) and Koshice (2013), and three city candidates for the title – Veliko Tarnovo, Novi Sad (Serbia) and Timisoara (Romania) discussed issues related to this large and prestigious European cultural project. The focus of the talks was on the problems that successful cities are encountered in the implementation of the cultural program and the recommendations they made to the current and future applicants. They can be summarised thus: European capital of culture is an initiative to solve the specific problems of the city through culture and the city must be the most honest and open in the presentation of the issues. The budget should be realistic and show the commitment of both the municipality and the business. The community must be not only well informed but actively to participate with ideas, to be included in the various events and to know that this is a project for all people. The candacy must have a clear organisational structure to ensure transparency and openness in the implementation of the program. This debate was moderated by the Hungarian cultural researcher, Dr. Mehesh Martone, who was involved in the project " Pécs, a candidate for European capital of culture".

On 11 and 12 may in Siena, Italy held a second workshop, in which the representatives of the VT 2019 participated. It was organized by the Committee, which prepares the candidacy of Siena for the European capital of culture in 2019. Siena is one of the six Italian cities that continue after the first selection in the race for the title ECOC 2019. The topic "in the culture are all winners" (In Culture Everybody Wins) raised the question of what happens in one city-candidate, if not win. How do you keep the energy and enthusiasm of the people, what part of the cultural program will be implemented, how cities will partner, regardless of who carries the title were important subjects for discussion and sharing of experiences. In the meeting, besides the representatives of Veliko Tarnovo was attended by representatives of Plovdiv and Sofia – candidates for HSC. The three cities presented their ideas and strategic projects, which summarised as "Plan b".

The moderator of the meeting was Prof. Dr. Andreas Johannes Vijzand, an international expert in the field of culture and a former member of the international jury, which selects the European capital of culture.

Representatives of the candidate cities who have competed for the title, but have not been honoured with her-Lund (Sweden), Ostrava (Czech Republic), Zonderborg (Denmark), Utrecht (Netherlands), shared their experiences from the stage of the application process and the realization of alternative plans. Tamara Perishich, Deputy Minister of culture of Croatia introduced the participants to the preparation of the European capital of culture initiative 2020 in Croatia. Meetings of the workshop-good practice, admitted mistakes and useful recommendations will be reflected in the publication, which will be sent to all participants, as well as to the European Commission.