Tema: Maribor Takes Baton as European Culture Capital
Maribor and its partner cities will host thousands of events as part of the 2012 European Culture Capital (EPK) project, which formally starts on 1 January but will be launched with a high-profile opening event in Maribor on 14 January.
Maribor, Murska Sobota, Slovenj Gradec, Velenje, Novo Mesto and Ptuj ave put together a programme featuring 412 projects that are divided into four sections.
“Terminal 12″ will focus on artistic highlights, “Keys to the Town” on urban revival, “Urban Furrows” on environmental and social projects, and “A Click to Life” on online events.
The project will be launched on the eve of the grand opening, when the culture embassies of more than 20 participating countries and the House of Architecture will open in Maribor.
The grand opening itself will feature a concert by Slovenian Dan D band, while European Culture Commissioner Andrula Vasiliu is also to attend.
On Sunday, 15 January, the SNG Maribor theatre will premiere “Črne maske” (Black Masks), an opera composed by Slovenian Marij Kogoj and directed by Janez Burger.
Maribor is the first Slovenian town to host the the European Capital of Culture since 1985, when Athens was given the title as the the first European Culture Capital.
The host city traditionally prepares a rich cultural programme, which has in recent years gained in social and economic importance.
Maribor was confirmed the 2012 European Capital of Culture in 2010 and will share the title with Portugal’s Guimaraes, which will hold the grand opening on 21 January.