European Capitals of Culture in Belgium

Since 1985, a city has held the title of European Capital of Culture every year; since 2004, there have been at least two cities each year. It is determined in advance which two or more countries are due to nominate a city. A competition is usually held within a country. The aim of this is to do justice to the richness, diversity, and common characteristics of European cultures and to contribute to the citizens of the European Union getting to know each other better. Belgium has had a total of four cities as European Capital of Culture: Antwerp (1993), Brussels (2000), Bruges (2002), and Mons (2015). Leuven has been selected as European Capital of Culture for 2030. Do you have Belgium's previous four designations?

Antwerp in 1993

After Athens, Florence, Amsterdam, Berlin, Paris, Glasgow, Dublin, and Madrid, Antwerp is the European Capital of Culture for 1993. A special challenge for the "city on the river," as Antwerp is also the first cultural capital of a Europe without borders.

ANTWERP 93 is committed to art for an entire year. The cultural capital offers the most diverse art forms for an exclusive program: from opera to video, from painting to architecture, from music to fashion. Young European art is given a platform in Antwerp in '93. Furthermore, historical exhibitions look back on Antwerp's golden years: the 16th and 17th centuries and the period around the turn of the last century.

Naturally, Antwerp is celebrating too. Continuous entertainment will make the entire city particularly cheerful. Grand events such as the celebration of 150 years of the Zoo, Antwerp as a Diamond City, and the Eurosail fleet parade provide extra allure. Moreover, the city is gearing up. With an eye on 1993, significant restoration, renovation, and beautification works have been underway in Antwerp for years. The Cathedral of Our Lady is virtually finished, the Bourla Theatre is functioning once again as a fully-fledged theatre, and the polished Central Station forms the ideal gateway for those visiting the cultural capital by train. Numerous other buildings, in turn, are emerging from scaffolding after being refurbished. Below left: Work by J. Jordaens and right: St. Job Altarpiece (detail) Schoonbroek-Retie. [/ One_half] [one_half_last]

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Brussel in 2000

Continuous panorama of Brussels and its multicultural character, composed of 3 stamps and 2 vignettes: Population, Art and Culture, Communication. Designer is François Schuiten.  

Bruges in 2002

From left to right: Restorations & new architecture, Classical & contemporary music, Classical exhibitions & contemporary art.  

Bergen/Mons in 2015

As European Capital of Culture in 2015, Mons boasts numerous museums focusing on contemporary and historical artistic creations, science, and history. The city is characterized by both its roots in the past and its modernity. Its architectural heritage and old streets give it the charm of historic cities. Heritage worth visiting includes, in particular: the Belfry, classified by UNESCO; the Collegiate Church of Saint-Waltrudis; the Grand'Place; the Jardin du Mayeur; and the Château de Havré. The ubiquitous local folklore, with the inevitable Doudou, testifies to the attachment of the people of Mons. Thanks to its two universities, Mons is also a young city with plenty to do. Mons is, therefore, a dynamic city with countless opportunities to celebrate… The engraved series 'Promotion of Philately' featuring the centers of Belgian cities continues with the Grand Place in Mons. This takes place within the framework of 'Mons, European Capital of Culture'. The annual folkloric festival 'Le Doudou' receives special attention as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. The five stamps (from left to right and from top to bottom) are: Hôtel du Blanc Lévrier, Town Hall, Chapelle Saint-Georges, Hôtel de la Couronne Impériale, Théâtre Royal.  

Leuven in 2030

In 2030, Belgium will once again be able to select one of the two European Capitals of Culture. That year, the country will also celebrate its 200th anniversary of independence. For this reason, the Brussels-Capital Region proposed in 2021 to form a team consisting of a Flemish and a French-speaking entity. Other cities view the nomination as a regional event. The country will put forward its candidate in 2025, but several candidate cities have already begun preparing their dossiers and campaigns. By the end of 2022, the following cities had submitted their candidacies: Bruges, Brussels, Ghent, Kortrijk, Leuven, and Liège. In October 2024, the list was reduced to three cities: Sint-Jans-Molenbeek, Leuven, and Namur. Bruges, Kortrijk, and Ghent were eliminated. On September 24, 2025, Leuven was chosen to be the European Capital of Culture in 2030. An international jury announced this today. To reach its decision, the jury considered the link with Europe, the cultural and artistic content of the project, and the involvement of the residents. After Antwerp (1993), Brussels (2000), Bruges (2002), and Mons (2015), Leuven will become the fifth Belgian city to be named European Capital of Culture. In 2030, Leuven will not hold the title alone, but will have to share the honor with a city in Cyprus. Moreover, it has been determined in advance which two countries will take their turn to nominate a city.  

<strong> More info: </strong>

Leuven 2030: https://www.lov2030.be/nl/