The City of Osijek, the official partner of the Novi Sad 2021 project, has entered the second round of selection for the European Capital of Culture in 2020. As many as nine cities (Đakovo, Dubrovnik, Osijek, Pula, Rijeka, Varaždin, Zagreb and Split) have submitted their applications for this title, which will be held for the first time in 2020 by one of the cities from Croatia. All submitted applications in the pre-selection phase, were reviewed by the expert panel comprised of 12 members chosen by the Ministry of Culture of Croatia (2) and various bodies and institutions of the European Union (10). The independent expert team, after reviewing application and oral presentations, which went quite well for our partners from Osijek, has picked four cities that move forward to the last phase of selection and these are: Osijek, Pula, Dubrovnik and Rijeka. The decision has been made after three-hour panel discussion, held in Zagreb. Now, the candidates have nine-month preparatory period to revise their applications, after which the panel of independent experts will be held in mid 2016 and make final decision on what city will become the Croatian capital of culture in 2020.

The very entry into the next round of selection offers great possibilities and can result in important cultural, economic and social benefits. This is why we send our sincerest congratulations to the team Osijek 2020 and we wish them luck in the final phase of selection!