We are extremely proud that the bid by Montpellier-Sète to become European Capital of Culture has been selected for the second round, as one of four finalists alongside Bourges, Clermont-Ferrand et Rouen. This is magnificent recognition for the work accomplished by the association’s team and all the local authorities involved in this project (Region, Department, City of Montpellier, Metropolis of Montpellier, Ville de Sète and Sète Agglopôle Méditerranée and their partners, representing 142 municipalities in the Hérault). It reflects the dynamic initiated throughout our territory, which has led to an unprecedented number of actors working together, with impact on national and European levels.
The artistic direction presented around the pillars CONNECT, ACT and CELEBRATE and the transversal theme on the issues of water and change were markers for our project, duly validated by the jury.
Montpellier 2028 has made the question of ‘connection’ the epicentre of its artistic strategy, through three components: connection between space and territory; between time and the future; and between each of us. The artistic and cultural projects put forward in the bid and the prospects for urban transformation related to the title of European capital are our strengths, enhanced by the unity and coherence of a delegation which represents the bid’s objectives of working towards a peaceful, equal, young, urban and rural, artistic, international and innovative territory.
From this evening, a new phase begins. All the forces of Montpellier and its partners will be able to accelerate the dynamic initiated and empower our cultural, political, economic and social actors and more widely the inhabitants of the territory to work ever more closely together. We aim to show Europe that the best of Cities is the one that federates the most widely, the one that has all the assets to promote this continent and that knows that it must, through this bid, invent the culture of tomorrow and new connections between all audiences. A new, even more extensive bid will be submitted in November.
This second round is the first act towards a successful challenge.
Michaël Delafosse: “Montpellier continues to attract attention, full of talent, strong in its convictions, determined to defend culture and Europe. When all the players are united around the same dynamic, Montpellier succeeds. This announcement testifies to the strength of a collective and the power of the imagination to invent a city and a territory that are creative and respectful of their environment. It shows the perspectives offered to a community created around the European values of freedom, tolerance and free movement of goods and people. We will continue to defend culture with our partners on the road to victory.”