Today, the European Commission proposed to move the title year of Novi Sad to 2022 instead of 2021 due to the corona virus pandemic.

As for the cities bearing the European Capital of Culture title this year, Rijeka (Croatia) and Galway (Ireland), the European Commission proposed that the title should last until 30 April 2021, while Eleusis (Greece) and Timişoara (Romania) that were supposed to bear the title together with Novi Sad in 2021, should move the title year to 2023.

‘Rijeka and Galway deserve a fair opportunity for a comeback after taking a step backwards in order to show their resistance and creativity. Open hearts and minds, acceptance of diversity of audiences and artists were always founding stones of the European Capital of Culture, and it’s going to stay that way. I am sure Timişoara and Eleusis will use this extra time to overcome current difficulties in the cultural and tourism sector, and that they will mobilise important investments, including solidarity on the European level’, said Margaritis Schinas, representative of the European Commission.

After the European Commission’s proposal, the European Parliament and Council of the European Union will make a final decision.

The official announcement of the European Commission representative Suzanne Konza, regarding the resolution of moving the title year, can be seen in the following video.

https://youtu.be/OpgFbHfeO98