Chairperson of Dublin City’s Strategic Policy Committee (Arts & Culture) Mary Fitzpatrick today expressed her support for Dublin in it’s bid to be designated as “European Capital of Culture 2020”.  This comes as the European Parliament this week announced that Ireland and Croatia have been successful in their bids to host the European “Capital of Culture 2020”.

“This is a year-long programme of Cultural Events focusing on legacy, sustainability and inclusion”. said Cllr Fitzpatrick. “It is an opportunity for the promotion of Dublin as a significant cultural and arts destination on a European scale, it gives our city a chance to shine to a European and Global audience”.  She continued, “However, we face stiff competition. I want my hometown to win this prestigious title and to do that we will need to engage with a broad range of stakeholders to produce the best bid.  Our bid will require a clear vision, project management skills, a strong calendar of events, community consultation and significant financial input.  I am willing to support this bid in my capacity as Chairperson of Dublin City’s Strategic Policy Committee (Arts & Culture) and also as a Dublin City Councillor”.

The European Capital of Culture is a city designated by the European Union for a period of one calendar year during which it organises a series of cultural events with a strong European dimension. Each year, two cities from two chosen European countries are nominated as a Capital of Culture. In 2020, Ireland and Croatia have been announced as the chosen nations.  An international panel of cultural experts will assess the proposals of cities for the title according to criteria specified by the European Union.  Ireland will make its designation of a Capital of Culture based on the recommendation of the panel by mid 2016.

Cllr Fitzpatrick, Fianna Fail Leader on Dublin City Council, concluded “The last time Dublin was chosen as The European Capital of Culture was 1991, it is time that we put our best foot forward in our bid to win this title again for 2020”.

Cllr Mary Fitzpatrick is the Fianna Fáil candidate for Dublin in the upcoming European Elections.