Aveiro 2027 took part in the European discussion about the responsibility of cities, regions and their citizens for the success of the European project and its future at the Berlin Conference 2022 “Co-Creating Europe From the Bottom-up!”. The meeting was held on the 8th and 9th of November, bringing together artists, intellectuals, mayors, civic organisations, citizens and, especially, young people to discuss and propose innovative narratives and approaches for the Europe of tomorrow.
Aveiro Mayor José Ribau Esteves was one of the speakers at the panel “The Unique Responsibility of European Capitals of Culture” and together with representatives of four titled European Capital of Culture cities – Krakow 2000, Rijeka 2020, Chemnitz 2025 and Nova Gorica 2025 – discussed the challenges and responsibility of being part of Cities for Europe.
Ribau Esteves highlighted the importance of Culture to strengthen the European project, its values and the participation of citizens in the life of European democracies, stating them as fundamental for Europe to be stronger and united, making it more relevant in political terms in the world stage. He also highlighted several aspects of Aveiro’s candidacy for European Capital of Culture, namely with regard to the relationship between Man/Nature, climate change, the Atlantic role of Europe and Culture as the fifth element of Nature, which joins Water, Earth, Air and Fire, among others topics.
This cities meeting also included Aveiro presence as one of the EFFE SEAL Label for Festivals Cities and Regions. The Berlin Conference is organized by Europe Bottom-Up, a digital platform for action and cooperation with the aim to raise the citizens’ awareness to the importance of European values and contribute to Europe’s success in a wide variety of fields, being chaired by both Members of the European Parliament and elements of the cultural sector and civil society. Aveiro’s participation at the event represents the strengthening of the city’s international networks.
