The first Forum on Cooperation between European Capitals of Culture and East-Asian Cultural Cities was organised by the Directorate General for Education and Culture of the European Commission and Ministry of Culture of the People’s Republic of China in Shanghai. The Forum was held on 14 November, and it was attended by numerous representatives of former and future capitals and experts from the European Commission and Ministry of Culture of China.

The attendees were greeted by Liu Yandong, Vice Premier of People’s Republic of China, and Tibor Navracsics, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport.

The main topic of the Forum was ‘Culture and Urban Development: Sustainability and Cooperation’, and the work, after the introductory speeches, was done in two parallel sessions – for Mayors of Capitals of Culture, and for cultural workers. The similarities and possible models of cooperation between European Capitals of Culture and East-Asian Cultural Cities were mapped through analysis of examples of implemented projects and through presentation of the future ones. The conclusion of both sessions was that the Capitals of Culture and Cultural Cities projects significantly contribute to urban and economic development of cities, and improve the quality of life of the citizens.

Novi Sad presented its plans for capital projects within the topic ‘Cultural Innovations and Urban Development’ in order to establish future partnerships in their implementation. Tijana Palkovljević Bugarski, Chairperson of the Managing Board, and Danijela Mirkov Akrula, Member of the Managing Board, participated at this Forum on behalf of the ‘Novi Sad 2021’ Foundation.