Plovdiv is Bulgaria's candidate for European Capital of Culture 2019, Chairman of the selection panel Steve Green announced at an official ceremony in Sredets gallery in the Ministry of Culture.
The international panel convened in Sofia to choose the best and most worthy candidate in the competition for European Capital of Culture 2019. Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, Plovdiv and Sofia were shortlisted for the second round of the competition.
The panel had a wonderful, but also very difficult task - to choose between four strong and very different proposals. Put together, the mottos of candidates - Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna and Veliko Tarnovo make up a great combination – Sharing Together Inspiration and Happiness, Steve Green said. He noted that the Bulgarian finalists had worked very closely with the Italian cities, shortlisted for the second round of the competition.
With our 13-century history, every Bulgarian city could be European Capital of Culture, and not just for one year, but these are unfortunately the rules of the competition, Minister of Culture Martin Ivanov said. According to Minister Ivanov, members of the panel were the “new ambassadors of Bulgarian culture around the world”, after becoming deeply familiar with each of the candidates.
At the regular meeting of the European Council in May 2015, Ministers of Culture are expected to formally decide on the Bulgarian city that would be awarded the title European Capital of Culture 2019.