Braga’s bid book for the European Capital of Culture 2027 was delivered last Friday, November 19th. The application deadline ends today, November 23rd.
12 Portuguese cities are applying for the title – Braga, Aveiro, Coimbra, Évora, Faro, Funchal, Guarda, Leiria, Oeiras, Ponta Delgada, Viana do Castelo and Vila Real. The bid books will now be evaluated by the international expert panel, and an audition with the jury is scheduled for the beginning of 2022 in Lisbon. It is based on these two evaluation moments that the jury decides which cities will move to the final selection phase.
Braga’s bid book reflects the work that has been made in the city since 2018 when Braga started the bidding process. We have been listening to our citizens in a series of consultation moments. Through them, the bid team was able to identify challenges and shortages in the city while collecting contributions and suggestions as possible ways to solve these challenges through culture.
The Braga’27 cultural programme is built into four main pillars, which result from the issues identified throughout this process of listening to the city. It also counts on proposals that emerged from the open call addressed to the local community, among other projects.
. One of the pillars presents projects that encourage collaborative practices and the involvement of citizens in cultural participation. Concepts like integration and neighbourhood dynamics are cherished.
. Another pillar is designed to intensify the relationship between urban and rural landscapes, bringing these two territories closer and searching for solutions to address these challenges through culture.
. Another group of projects focus on the development of citizens’ critical thinking and civic participation. Through arts and culture, we want to break down the generalized apathy and disinterest that is felt today not only in Braga but throughout Europe and the world.
. The cultural programme also includes a pillar exclusively dedicated to the cultural and creative sector, presenting projects that aim to support artistic creation in Braga, fostering working conditions, providing training, supporting internationalisation and promoting exchanges with international artists, Europe and worldwide.
Shall Braga be selected for the final phase, a new work cycle will follow where the bid team must write a second bid book, more complete and detailed than the previous one, and continue the different listening processes to the city’s inhabitants, with a focus in the local cultural and creative sector.
