08.02.2022
The 10th anniversary of the European Capital of Culture 2011 was celebrated in Turku in 2021. The anniversary year was built together with the local cultural operators. Despite the challenging time, the city was filled with hundreds of cultural events and offered a considerable amount of work opportunities for local artists. More than EUR 800,000 was granted to cultural operators for the implementation of cultural activities in the anniversary year. The anniversary year culminated in significant decisions related to culture and the setting up of a new key project for culture.
The goal of the year was to build a city of culture from 2011 towards the next anniversary year 2029 by increasing the city's positive dynamics, cohesion and attractiveness through culture. During the anniversary year, cultural operators in the city were supported, residents were involved and a direction for the city's culture was created as part of urban development.
- 2021 was an important milestone on the way to the city's 800th anniversary. During the anniversary year, Turku made significant cultural decisions that continue the heritage of the Capital of Culture 2011. In addition, cultural operators were supported by several hundred thousand euros during the anniversary year, Mayor Minna Arve is happy to report.
Anniversary celebration in small events
As expected, the COVID-19 situation led to changes in the contents of the anniversary year. Of the planned major events, Tall Ships Races, Tall Ships Races Music Festival and Ruisrock were cancelled. The cancellation of major events shifted the focus to smaller but more diverse events during the anniversary year, as well as to the wider visibility and support of projects implemented by local cultural operators, which can be seen as a positive phenomenon.
The programme for the anniversary year consisted of projects produced by cultural operators, a programme for all service functions in the city, and events implemented in co-operation between the city and local operators in the region. During the anniversary year, approximately 100 projects were implemented, with more than 400 individual events. The programme included cultural and art events from exhibitions to theatre and concerts to workshops, fixed-term works of art in the cityscape and projects promoting the well-being of Turku residents. From summer to Christmas, the contents of the anniversary year programme could be implemented as planned.
- We would like to thank all those involved in the celebration year who created joy, cultural experiences and unexpected encounters in our city. Turku's diverse cultural field plays a key role in a living and active cultural city, and we want to further strengthen co-operation with operators in the region, says Minna Sartes, Director of the Recreation Division.
Support and work opportunities for artists
During the anniversary year, local activities and actors were activated and supported, and all interested parties were invited to participate in the implementation of the contents of the anniversary year. The special focus of the activities was on suburbs and areas, working together with residents. Projects and community projects of professional artists, associations and residents during the anniversary year were supported with various grants totalling EUR 840,000.
Grants for the implementation of the contents of the anniversary year were granted by the Turku 2029 Foundation, the Fund for Enhancing the Beauty of City of Turku and the City of Turku Death Estate Savings Fund and the Social Fund. The allowance was used to provide artists with plenty of work opportunities and the chance to create unexpected art and culture in the urban image.
Major investments in city culture
During the anniversary year, significant cultural decisions were made in Turku, which strengthen Turku's position as a cultural city and create a strong direction for the future.
Turku founded the House of the Arts concept, the aim of which is to bring together creative people from different fields and make the old city more lively. Rettig's old tobacco factory was bought by decision of the city council for the accommodation of the House of Arts. The preparation process of the Turku Music Centre progressed by selecting the winner of the competitive bidding and signing the alliance agreement for the new building. An increase of EUR 500,000 was made to the cultural grant allowances granted by the Board of Culture and Youth.
In addition, culture was highlighted in the mayor's programme with significant policies, and the city set up a new key project for culture, the purpose of which is to further strengthen the significance of culture in the city. As the pioneer of the key project, a cultural promise was drawn up, which was prepared in co-operation with various stakeholders and the independent cultural field at the end of the year. The publication of the cultural promise will be announced separately at the beginning of the year.
