New European Capitals of Culture in 2024

#NordicNews on destinations and Norway and Estonia

The inspiring programmes of the cultural capitals Bodø, Norway and Tartu, Estonia

Next year, outstanding cities in Norway and Estonia will be honoured as "European Capitals of Culture". The programmes planned in Bodø, Norway and Tartu, Estonia for the coming year are impressive.

Bodø, Norway

Bodø, a small but vibrant town in the north of Norway, is being celebrated for the first time as the cultural capital of the picturesque Vestfjord. Bodø is known for its breathtaking natural landscape around the Saltstraumen, which is considered the most powerful tidal stream in the world.

Bodø's local heraldic animal is the majestic sea eagle. The town is home to the largest breeding grounds of these majestic birds and invites you to go hiking, including the unusually white Mjelle beach.

Bodø is culturally characterised by the Sami, a Fenno-Scandinavian people, and is known for its warm hospitality and lively student community. The city serves as an important transport hub in northern Norway and as an entrance to the Lofoten Islands. The cultural programme starts on 3 February 2024 and includes over 200 events, including music, dance, theatre, art, gastronomy, literature and outdoor activities. A light festival will also be part of the programme. Further information is available online at bodo2024.no.

Tartu, Estonia

Tartu is the second largest city in Estonia and is located around 160 kilometres south of Tallinn, the Estonian capital. Tartu is home to the University of Tartuensis, one of the oldest universities in Northern Europe, and is a cultural centre with numerous theatres, museums and galleries.

The creative leitmotif for Tartu in the coming year is "Arts of Survival". The programme will be designed around four main themes - uniqueness, sustainability, awareness and co-creation - representing the knowledge, skills and values to promote a good life in the future.

All planned events and happenings are built around these four central themes: Earth, Humanity, Europe and Universe. More information on the planned events is available on the tartu2024.ee website.

More on the European Cultural Capitals 2024.

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