On 23-24 March, the European Commission will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the European Capitals of Culture with a conference and exhibition in Brussels attended by more than 400 representatives of past, present and future Capitals and many other cultural operators. The conference is aimed at sharing experiences and good practices as well as assessing the impact of the European Capitals of Culture since its launch in 1985.

Since the first European Capital of Culture held in Athens in 1985, over 40 cities from all over Europe have held the title. This year’s Capitals of Culture are Essen for the Ruhr (Germany), Pécs (Hungary), and Istanbul (Turkey).

On the 25th anniversary of the European Capitals of Culture, the Commission has organized a two-day event to celebrate this initiative. The first day of the conference is dedicated to the official celebration, as well as to an exchange of views between past, present and future Capitals. The second day will have a more strategic dimension and will look at the impact and legacy of the initiative.

Talking about European Capitals of Culture, President Barroso said: "This initiative is a clear illustration of the EU's commitment to cultural diversity and also how culture can unite people within Europe. I would like to thank all the cities which have put Europe to the fore during their year as Capitals and I wish the European Capitals of Culture every success for the next 25 years."

The main goals of the European Capitals of Culture project are:

• Highlighting the wealth and diversity of European cultures.
• Promoting mutual understanding between European citizens.
• Encouraging a sense of belonging to the same European family by making us aware of our common European roots and our shared ambitions for the future.

The European Capitals of Culture are also a unique opportunity to regenerate cities in the long-term, by giving new vitality to their cultural life, their creative industries and transforming their image.