On Feb. 19 the Kyiv City Administration forwarded an official application for participation in the competition “European Cultural Capital 2010.” They chose this year because the municipal authorities will have four years to prepare. However, Ukraine won’t win this title after five years, as only EU member countries will be eligible. Kyiv has an excellent chance to win the title in 2010. It enjoys the support of several dozen twinned cities and there is only one serious rival, Istanbul (there are also two German and one Hungarian city competing). Kyiv also has the support of EU diplomats. “The members of the European Commission cannot be biased,” says Ian Boag, head of the EU Commission’s Representation in Ukraine, adding, “But how can I help rooting for the city where I live? I sincerely wish Kyiv victory in the competition.” Latvia’s Ambassador to Ukraine has promised to share his country’s experience; Riga won the title two years ago.
Kyiv has started actively preparing. The city administration promises to turn Kyiv into a true European cultural capital by 2010. On Feb. 19 Kyiv Mayor Oleksandr Omelchenko declared that the city will develop as “a single harmonious cultural and economic ensemble.” European-style changes will affect all spheres of life in the capital. Unfortunately, no details were forthcoming. “Kyiv has the best budget this year,” says Mayor Omelchenko. In other words, there is enough money.
“On March 14 this year Ukraine will host the competition commission to do the initial verifications. The jury, made up of seven independent experts specializing in European urban culture but not participating in the competition, will examine our application,” says Vadym Kosteli, coordinator of the project “Kyiv, Cultural Capital 2010.” After that other experts will visit Ukraine every year to monitor the process of Kyiv’s transformation.
Winning this contest will make Kyiv a popular destination and the city will obtain foreign investments. “The city that wins this competition will receive tremendous EU information support; there will be a lot of press coverage. Kyiv will become a tourist mecca, not to mention the one million euros that is part of the prize. Remember the number of people who learned about Kyiv when we hosted the Eurovision contest,” says Oleksandr Bystrushkin, head of the Main Culture and Art Directorate of the Kyiv City Administration.
Even if Kyiv fails to become the European Capital in 2010, the city will benefit from the European changes that will have been made.
