European City of Culture
The European City of Culture was launched in June 1985 by the Council of Ministers of the European Economic Community on the initiative of then Greek Culture Minister Melina Mercouri. The idea was that having a cultural focus in a different country each year would bring the citizens of the EEC closer together.
European Capital of Culture
In 1999, the European City of Culture was renamed the European Capital of Culture, and was financed through the Culture 2000 program with Cork in Eire being the first city to hold the prestigious title. Also in 1999, the European Parliament voted that a new selection procedure should be introduced for the Capitals for the period 2005-2019.
Stavanger
Each EU member nation will be given the opportunity to "host" the capital in turn and from 2005, two cities each year have shared the title. Until 2011, one of these capitals may be outside the EU as is the case in 2008 with the Norwegian west coast port of Stavanger. Liverpool, in the UK, is the EU European Capital of Culture.
Norway’s Open Port
This city has received a lot of coverage in the media but little has been written about what is going to be happening in Norway. The basic idea behind Stavanger2008 is that the city will be an “Open Port” for cultural exchanges between Norway and the rest of Europe.
Architectural Gem
Stavanger is an architectural jewel. The oldest part, known as Straen, is the largest surviving wooden house settlement in northern Europe. It is an area of white homes, cobbled streets, and artists’ studios set along the west side of the harbour, where the cruise ships moor during the summer.
The Three Swords
Near Stavanger, a popular monument is The Three Swords (Sverd i Fjell), which stands on the edge of Hafrsfjord and is an important national memorial. This monument was unveiled by King Olav in 1983 and commemorates the Battle of Hafrsfjord in 872, when King Harald Fair Hair’s victory united the three districts of Norway into one kingdom. The crowns on the swords represent the districts which took part in the battle.
Land Art Project
One of the highlights of the Stavanger 2008 program is the land art project "The House, Boat, Pot, Knife and Thread", in which the US architect and theatre director Robert Wilson will organize large-scale workshops highlighting those five crafts. The idea for this came from the extensive tradition of ceramics and pottery manufacturing in Sandnes, a participant town in Stavanger2008, and the results will be exhibited around Stavanger throughout the year.
Wooden Buildings
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