A common project, even if Montpellier is the headliner. Behind the city’s candidacy for the title of European Capital of Culture 2028 lies the union of six territories of the Hérault. Montpellier Mediterranean Metropolis, of course, but also the urban communities of Sète and Agde and the communities of communes of the Pays de Lunel, Grand Pic-Saint-Loup and the Hérault valley (around Gignac ). “An archipelago of territory”as Michaël Delafosse, mayor of Montpellier, calls him.
The elected officials share the desire to connect almost half of the department around its cultural heritage. “Our territories are populated by artistsexplains Michaël Delafosse during the presentation of the candidacy, this Thursday, March 31 at the Opéra Comédie. Robert Combas, Pierre Soulages, and so many others!”
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For the moment, no concrete project, but the elected officials were able to present program guidelines. First, hospitality, “that we address to artistsexplains Michaël Delafosse, by guaranteeing their freedom of creation and programming”. Ensuite, “the future, the youth” and finally “l’innovation”with an emphasis on “the creative cultural industry and technological innovation”. A project and values embodied by Adèle Charvet, mezzo-soprano from Montpellier. “My life has led me to travel everywhere and to defend, through my profession as an opera singer, a European repertoire.” says the artist. The bid’s ambassador also plans to wear “a dimension close to students, children, transmission”.
The mayor of Montpellier also insists on the topography of European cities, which, according to him, promotes cultural influence. “Look for a place in the United States. It doesn’t exist, cities are expanding. Public space is a gathering place”he explains, adding that this candidacy will be the one “open air, outside”.
To define the precise project which will be presented in a first application file at the end of the year, the director of the Théâtre la Vignette, a stage under agreement of national interest at the Paul Valéry University, Nicolas Duborg, was named artistic director. It is up to him to ensure the next stage of the program: to create a collective of artists, cultural professionals, education professionals and citizens to define what will make Montpellier a European capital of culture.
Feedback from Sète
This file will also be able to count on the experience of the city of Sète, candidate last year for the title of French capital of culture. “We had a whole bunch of projects already built, valued, ready and in the drawersexplains the mayor of Sète, François Commeinhes. Arriving a little late in the schedule, having these files ready was a plus to bring to the city of Montpellier”. The chosen one does not see it as revenge for the defeat of last year, rather an experience to be valued.
Once the first file has been submitted, 4 finalist cities will be selected by the European Union, then a second round will take place in December 2023at the end of which we will know if Montpellier will be European Capital of Culture in 2028.
