Ministers at the Education, Youth, Culture and Sports Council meeting adopted the decision which officially states Donostia-San Sebastián (Spain) and Wrocław (Poland) as European Capitals of Culture for 2016. According to the Council, the cities chosen must demonstrate current involvement in European artistic and cultural life, alongside their own specific features.

The European Capitals of Culture 2016 will be Donostia-San Sebastián (Spain) and Wrocław (Poland). The Council adopted the decision which officially designates these two cities as European Capitals of Culture for the 2016 year. This year capitals are Guimarães (Portugal) and Maribor (Slovenia). In addition, the Commission will expect to present in July a proposal for the European Capitals of Culture of 2020.

Among the rules for being chosen, the candidate cities must present a comprehensive programme, illustrating the role they have played in European culture, their links with Europe, their European identity. They must also demonstrate current involvement in European artistic and cultural life, alongside their own specific feature.

Since 1985, the European Capitals of Culture are chosen to highlight in particular the richness and diversity of European cultures, celebrate the cultural ties that link Europeans together and promote mutual understanding between people from different European countries. So far, over 40 cities have been designated and until 2019 cities from two member states will be designated each year as European capitals of culture.