Galway has been named as the European Capital of Culture for 2020.

Galway was selected from a shortlist of three candidate bids – and beat off excellent competition from Limerick and what had been titled the "Three Sisters Bid”, in which Waterford, Wexford and Kilkenny had joined forces. Dublin had previously been eliminated controversially at the pre-selection stage of the competition, which took place in November, 2015. Galway will hold the title of European Capital of Culture in 2020 along with Rijeka in Croatia.

The Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys TD (pictured), was first to congratulate Galway, after the selection was announced.

Minister Humphreys noted that one of the aims of the European City of Culture initiative was to bring the people of Europe closer together and improve mutual understanding.

In her statement, she reflected on the devastating impact of the appalling attack in Nice yesterday evening. The attack took place during the Bastille Day festivities.

RESPONSE TO NICE ATTACK

“We can only respond to such attacks by strengthening our resolve and commitment to our culture and our way of life in Europe,” the Minister said. "It is at moments such as this that we say aloud that we will not stop celebrating what is great about living in Ireland, in France or in Europe.

“Our cultural expression was central to the respectful way, this year, that we in Ireland marked the centenary of the birth of our sovereign nation. Last night, thousands of locals and visitors were enjoying France’s cultural celebration of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity.”

In passing on her sympathy to the victims and their families Minister Humpheyes stated that these values will prevail in Europe no matter the provocation.

Following Wrocław (Poland) and Donostia-San Sebastián (Spain) this year, Aarhus (Denmark) and Paphos (Cyprus) will be European Capitals of Culture in 2017, Leeuwarden (Netherlands) and Valletta (Malta) in 2018, and Matera (Italy) and Plovdiv (Bulgaria) in 2019. In Croatia, the final selection took place in March 2016 and the city of Rijeka was recommended for the 2020 ECOC title.

SHOWCASING CULTURAL RICHNESS

“Hosting the European Capital of Culture presents a unique and important opportunity to showcase a city,” Minister Humphries added, "bringing with it an unprecedented focus at local, national and international level. It will allow Galway, and Ireland as a whole, to put our best cultural foot forward and promote the best of Irish creativity.

“The European Capital of Culture will give Galway a wonderful opportunity to showcase its cultural richness. While of course being named European Capital of Culture for 2020 will be a great boost in terms of attracting visitors, it also has the potential to engage and enliven local communities right across Galway, in an exciting year of artistic and creative engagement.

“It will be just the third time that Ireland has hosted the European Capital of Culture, after Dublin in 1991 and Cork in 2005. Being awarded the title of European Capital of Culture provides all Europeans with an opportunity to learn more about each other's cultures and to enjoy their shared history and values. In 2020, we will celebrate our unique Irish cultural heritage, while also celebrating our European influences.

“I would like to thank all of the bidding cities and to acknowledge the dedication and commitment of all those involved in the process. I know there will be a huge amount of disappointment amongst the teams behind the Limerick bid and the Three Sisters bid, but you should be extremely proud of your efforts. I know that participating in the project will deliver significant long-term cultural and social benefits to not just the successful bid but also to the other three candidate bids, together with their wider regional and rural areas.”

Tibor Navracsics, the European Commissioner responsible for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, said: "The competition in Ireland illustrates how this initiative of the EU remains fresh and vigorous, highly popular with cities and citizens. It is now a prestigious and fully mature year-long international event with an established place in global cultural calendars. In 2020, the winning city and the whole of Ireland will be under the spotlight during one full year.

"Today, I sincerely congratulate Galway on its successful bid. I am confident that Galway will give visitors from Europe and all over the world the opportunity to discover the city and its cultural assets but also to appreciate the diversity of cultures in our European Union as well as our shared values. I am convinced that the title will bring Galway significant long-term cultural, as well as economic and social benefits, as we have seen with many previous European Capitals of Culture.”

WHO CHOSE GALWAY?

All applications in Ireland were examined by a panel composed of 10 independent experts appointed by the Union institutions and bodies. Those experts are listed here:

· Appointed by the European Commission: Steve Green (United Kingdom), who has an extensive experience of international cultural relations and the role of culture and languages in society with EUNIC (European Network of National Cultural Institutes) and the British Council; Jordi Pardo (Spain), CEO of the Pau Casals Foundation and expert in strategic planning and urban renewal through culture and tourism; Suzana Žilič Fišer (Slovenia), professor and head of media communications department at the University of Maribor and director general of Maribor – European Capital of Culture 2012.
· Appointed by the Council: Ulrich Fuchs (Germany), deputy artistic director and programme director of Linz, European Capital of Culture 2009, and Marseille-Provence, European Capital of Culture 2013; Aiva Rozenberga (Latvia), programme director of Rīga, European Capital of Culture 2014; Pauli Sivonen (Finland), director of Serlachius Museum.
· Appointed by the European Parliament: Sylvia Amann (Austria), who is specialised in urban, regional and rural development, culture and the creative economy; Cristina Farinha (Portugal), expert in the development of creative industries and national cultural strategies; Agnieszka Wlazeł (Poland), expert in audience development and former CEO and artistic director of art festivals.