In 2025, the European Union commemorates the 40th anniversary of the European Capital of Culture (ECoC) initiative, launched in 1985 to celebrate Europe's rich cultural diversity and foster unity through shared cultural experiences.
Plovdiv, Bulgaria's second-largest city, holds a distinguished place in this history as the first Bulgarian city to receive the title, serving as the 60th ECoC in 2019. Plovdiv's tenure as ECoC was marked by the motto #Together, emphasising inclusivity and community engagement. The transformation of the Kapana district into a vibrant creative hub stands as a testament to the lasting impact of the ECoC designation.
To celebrate the 40-year milestone, representatives from all past and present ECoC cities convened in Chemnitz, Germany — one of the designated ECoCs for 2025, alongside Nova Gorica (Slovenia) and Gorizia (Italy) — to reflect on the initiative's legacy and discuss its future, including the next programming period extending to 2033.
Source: Plovdiv 2019 Official Website