28.8.2006

Turku invites all of Finland to join in

Finland Nominates Turku as Candidate for European Capital of Culture 2011

According to a statement issued by a panel of experts nominated by the Ministry of Education, Turku's candidacy for the Capital of Culture is supported by the strength it has shown in careful planning, in a comprehensive and compelling application, and the city's connectedness to the Baltic cultural area. Minister of Culture Tanja Saarela has decided to propose Turku as the European Capital of Culture 2011.

Turku rejoices over the decision, preceded by long and extensive preparatory work. The City would like to thank the decision-makers and the thousands of people who have participated in and supported the preparation process.

The work goes on non-stop

The preparatory work will continue without pause in co-operation with various actors, industry and commerce and international partners among them.  The broad-based Turku 2011-foundation, which will be responsible for the implementation of the Capital of Culture-project, will be founded in short order.  The Capital of Culture application entitled Turku on Fire will be updated and complemented; an updated English-language version will be submitted to the European Union at the end of the year.  Co-operation in the areas of culture, tourism and marketing have begun with Tallinn, the city with which Turku shares the status of European Capital of Culture in 2011.  Both Turku and Tallinn believe that jointly the cities have a unique opportunity to implement the Capital of Culture-year, genuinely supporting one another in the effort.  In the year 2011 the Baltic Sea will be the "European Sea of Culture".

Plenty of development projects

The Turku 2011-project supports the cultural policy definitions and development objectives of both Finland and EU, including the growth of the creative economy, prosperity and internationalism.  Preparations for an internationally visible and cogent Capital of Culture programme for 2011 are picking up speed after the nomination.  During the coming years, operational pre-conditions for pursuing cultural endeavours will be improved, artists' work areas and funding for culture among them.  Several building projects will be carried out, including the new main library building, which will be taken into use in 2007.  Plans are being made for a new congress- and music centre, and an entity called the Culture Quarter.  In the next few years, several long-term, widely influential Capital of Culture projects will be initiated, a development centre for creative activities and cultural exports among them.

The year 2011 provides an unequalled opportunity to introduce Finnish culture to the world. Turku strives to be the culture capital of all of Finland, and invites the country's top talent to join in the effort.  With the nomination, Turku will assume a leading role in the common cultural forum formed by the Finnish cities which were candidates in the contest.  The decision to form such a forum was made in a meeting held in Turku in May.  Turku will call the first meeting of the cultural forum come fall. 

The electronic version of Turku's application, together with information on the points of sale of the Turku on Fire-book can be found at www.turku2011.fi.

Further information:

• Kaija Hartiala, Deputy Mayor, Team 2011 Chairman
• Suvi Innilä, Project Manager/Turku - Candidate for the European Capital of Culture 2011