Nottingham will not be allowed to host the European Capital of Culture in 2023 after the European Commission announced that UK access would be “discontinued” after Brexit.
In a letter to the UK Government, Martine Reicherts, the European Union (EU) Director-General for Education and Culture, said that “following its withdrawal from the European Union, the participation of the United Kingdom in the European Capital of Culture Union action will not be possible.”
The letter specifies EU regulation 445/2014/EU, that stipulates that only non-EU member countries that are members of the European Economic Area (EEA), or countries that are candidates for joining the EU are eligible to participate.
Nottingham’s Strategic Cultural Partnership chairman, Paul Russ, stated that Nottingham’s bid has ‘brought Nottingham together’.
He added: “The bid team will be liaising with the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport over the coming days and we hope the situation can be resolved positively so that we and the other bidding cities can present next week as planned.”
“It will be interesting to see how Nottingham, and other cities, channel the hard work and enthusiasm that has gone into the bid process.”
The UK had been in line to host the capital in 2023 and the scheme is an opportunity for the cities chosen to benefit from funding for arts and cultural projects. Two cities are designated as European Capitals of Culture every year.
Nottingham was due to compete with Belfast, Leeds, Dundee and Milton Keynes for the status alongside a partner city in Hungary.
Reaction to today’s news: Our bid has brought Nottingham together & regardless of any outcomes we will work to implement many of the positive actions through the Strategic Cultural Framework. We are liaising with DCMS & hope this can be resolved positively for UK bidding cities.
— Nottingham 2023 (@Nottingham2023) November 23, 2017
Isobel, a third-year English and History student, said: “This is a real shame, considering the rich and diverse history and culture surrounding Nottingham.”
Shannon, a third-year English student, said: “It will be interesting to see how Nottingham, and other cities, channel the hard work and enthusiasm that has gone into the bid process to continue economic development.”
Connor Higgs
Image courtesy of ‘Dun.can’ via Flickr. License here.
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