las palmas gran canaria european capital culture finalist

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Shortlisted for European Capital of Culture

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in Running for Prestigious Cultural Title

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria has been selected as a finalist to become a European Capital of Culture. The Spanish Ministry of Culture made the announcement this Friday at a press conference, revealing that Cáceres, Granada, and Oviedo are the other shortlisted cities.

A Moment of Emotion and Resilience

In Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the news was followed at an event presided over by Mayor Carolina Darias, where the emotion of those attending was palpable. “It has been difficult but it has been possible, and I want to thank everyone who made it possible,” said Carolina Darias. The mayor emphasised that this achievement is for all the people of the city, “for all those who in 2010 had a dream but we did not achieve it. It is for Jerónimo, wherever he is.”

“In 2010 we tried and we did not succeed, but we are a resilient city that does not let its guard down and that keeps fighting,” she stated, adding that “we have worked intensely.”

A Candidacy of Democratic Values and Openness

Mayor Darias described the bid as one of opportunity, built on the democratic values of “a city that is in the middle of three continents and on an island that feels very supported, with a Government of the Canary Islands that we feel supported by, and therefore with the full backing of all institutions, the support of all the people and citizens.” She called it a project that “aspires to change the epicentre of conversations.”

“We are a city that, with this open port, has become a city of entry and welcome, and that has made our way of being a category that we have elevated to a reality,” she insisted.

The Final Selection Process

The designation was made by a committee composed of ten independent international experts: eight appointed by the European institutions involved in the European Capital of Culture and two Spanish experts appointed by the Ministry of Culture. The selected cities now have nine months to perfect their candidacies, and the committee will meet again next December to make the final decision.

Source

Scroll to Top