Cross-Border Projects : Stimulate Sustainable Cultural Exchanges

: Cross-border projects : stimulate sustainable cultural exchanges © Timetravelturtle • Access to culture • Internationalisation • Tourism • Well-being • Intercultural dialogue • Civic participation Context The greater region is a cross-border area encompassing political and administrative entities from four different states: the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the French Lorraine region, the German federal states of Saarland and Rhineland-Palatinate, and the Belgian Wallonia region, Wallonia-Brussels Federation and the German-speaking Community. Approximately 11.2 million people live on this territory stretched over 65,401 square kilometres, and more than 200,000 regional workers cross borders every day within the greater region. This transborder space features a dense urban, industrial and rural fabric. Continuous economic and cultural exchanges emanating from such an intersection of trade routes and transport networks represent a source of wealth and a basis for sustainable relationships between regions. Crucially, this geographical peculiarity provides the greater region with a cultural richness based on the diversity of nationalities, languages, and traditions and a shared heritage of mixed Latin and Germanic influences. Transborder cooperation is pivotal in this regard, for its economic and institutional development but also for the development of civil society in a cohesive way. In 1995 the city of Luxembourg was granted the title of European Capital of Culture (ECoC) which gave a dynamic impulse to the cultural landscape of the Grand Duchy, stimulating artistic training, heritage conservation and new ways of cultural participation. Approximately 1.1 million visitors came to Luxembourg throughout the year. In addition, the event contributed to raising awareness about the need to engage in a meaningful debate on culture and society and the benefits of culture for local development. Building on this experience, the city of Luxembourg invested extensively in cultural infrastructures, offering Challenges material conditions for a second ECoC to take place in the country. The challenge of the 2007 ECoC was to build a sense of belonging in an area that had throughout history been torn by conflict, annexation and occupation. To do so, the programme focused on citizens’ participation, especially that of young audiences. Indeed, young people were recording low levels of cultural attendance to cultural events and initiatives and they had been relatively neglected by the 1995 ECoC as well as by cultural initiatives and structures. Luxembourg and greater region, Europe- an Capital of Culture 2007 In 2000, when Luxembourg was granted the title of The cultural programme ran for one year but for the ECoC for the second time (for the year 2007), it was first time in the history of European Capitals of Culture, primarily meant to go to the Grand Duchy alone but a longitudinal evaluation was undertaken from 2005 was then extended to the whole greater region by the to the aftermath of the ECoC in 2008. Surveys were Prime Minister of Luxembourg in May 2000. given out to residents to assess their expectations regarding the ECoC and the potential impacts it could The event was designed as an unprecedented have on them, and all stakeholders were involved multinational and cross-border cultural project. in the preparation process through different means Exploring culture as a factor of social cohesion, it aimed such as questionnaires, focus groups and online to bring communities together and build a sense of forums. belonging to a European region. Shared heritage and cultural diversity in the greater region thus served as a basis to stimulate sustainable cultural exchanges Budget and financing between local and international creative persons, institutions, associations, professional actors and The total budget of the ECoC in Luxembourg and citizens across the territory. the greater region was €45 million, of which over two-thirds came from the Ministry of Culture, High- Considering the common heritage of the five er Education and Research of the Government of participating regions from a contemporary Luxembourg. Over a fifth of the funding was allo- perspective, the programme proposed to link cated by the city of Luxembourg while sponsorship, history with the present through five original self-financing and the EU grant together accounted themes – “migration” (Luxembourg), “industrial for just over a tenth of the total. heritage” (Saarland), “European characters and places” (Rhineland-Palatinate), “places of memory The €2.8 million artistic programme was entirely to be places of tomorrow” (Lorraine) and “modern financed by Luxembourg 2007. Income from spon- expressions of culture in the 21st century” (Belgium) sorship was devoted to communication and publi- – that were fused into two leitmotifs, “crossing cations. borders” and “daring the unexpected”, constituting the backbone of the 2007 ECoC. Over 70% of the total budget was spent on projects, Therefore, the greater region proposed transborder with the bulk of project funding going to externally projects, itinerant festivals, urban renewal initiatives, organised events. Almost 10% of the total budget interventions in public spaces, festivals to stimulate (€4 million) was safeguarded for cross-border cultural participation especially for young people, projects within the greater region. Coordination and unusual and interdisciplinary events as well as joint administrative costs amounted to 11% of the total projects with Sibiu (Romania), its partner ECoC in budget. 2007. The innovative nature of the programming lay in the use of new spaces for artistic production and Impact diffusion. Many former industrial sites thus became places for creative activities (such as the “Dance The 2007 ECoC staged more than 5,000 events Palace” at the Centre de Production et de Création during the year. Out of 584 projects, 139 (22%) had a Artistique in the city of Luxembourg) and temporary clear cross-border dimension. exhibitions (like “Rotunda 1”, a former railway It was particularly successful in stimulating cultural workshop at Luxembourg Central Station; the former participation among its key target audience – steelworks of Dudelange; the “Espace Paul Wurth”). young people. In comparison with older age groups, In addition, already established cultural spaces were Luxembourg residents under 25 were more than restored and enlarged (such as the Museum of Trier) twice as likely to say that in 2007 they had attended and as part of a vast action plan to reach out to young more events than usual. Projects in Rotunda 2 and in audiences, specific sites (Rotunda 2 and Exit 07) were Exit 07 were extraordinarily successful and not only exclusively dedicated to them. To enhance regional satisfied the needs of young Luxembourgers but also cooperation a new cross-border space, the Pôle those of older audiences. The level of participation in Européen Culturel 2007, was temporarily installed on the ECoC events was over 40% for all age groups. the former industrial site of Athus. Expanding access to culture through the themes of Sustainability of the ECoC has been ensured thanks intercultural communication and migration, the ECoC to strong political support and commitment to carry provided opportunities to develop social cohesion. on the work done throughout the project. The budget Furthermore, it stimulated cultural development dedicated to culture in Luxembourg increased by by providing new spaces for cultural activities and 10% in 2008, and in the wake of the ECoC the public supporting new and innovative cultural projects. The administration supported the establishment of “Carré initiative was successful in bringing together culture rotondes”, a cultural space for young audiences and the economy, professionals and amateurs, where 2,515 events, 180 shows, 85 participatory opening new dimensions in their work. projects and 26 exhibitions have been hosted for atotal number of 300,000 visitors/ spectators since Important economic benefits were observed thanks 2008. to direct economic expenditure generated by the event itself, and through the activities of businesses and ECOC visitors. The ECoC had a positive impact Transferability on tourism to and within Luxembourg and the greater The final report of the ECoC provides extensive region in 2007. More than 3.3 million visitors came to information on the issues faced during the event as the region but the main increase in tourism was seen well as on elements that favoured positive outcomes in Luxembourg city (6% rise in overnight tourism) due at each stage and for each aspect of the project, to a large concentration of ECoC events, and in Trier from engagement with audiences to marketing and where the only ECoC “blockbuster exhibition” was communication, from management to sustainability. held. The total expenditure generated by domestic Such documentation shows the following factors and foreign tourists (both day visitors and overnight contributed to the success of the initiative and could stays) amounted to €56.4 million. inspire future projects of a similar nature. Sustainability Tips During the closing session of the ECoC in December Think about the best places and times to 2007, the Ministry of Culture, Higher Education and hold your event, e.g. big public spaces to Research and the city of Luxembourg presented a accommodate a large audience, sheltered document (MCESR/VdL 2007) identifying key areas spaces in case of bad weather conditions. of sustainability: legacy of

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