Cities vie for position as culture capital of Europe
Pforzheim Aims for European Capital of Culture Status with Minimal Financial Burden
In a recent press statement, Mayor Sibylle Schuessler of Pforzheim announced the city's intention to apply for the title of European Capital of Culture. This financial commitment, according to the mayor, signifies the recognized economic relevance of such an application.
The economy, as stated by Mayor Schuessler, is prepared to fully finance the application. The total state funding, federal funding, and European Union funding for Pforzheim's European Capital of Culture application each amount to 10 million euros.
If Pforzheim were to participate in conjunction with the Black Forest region, the city would have to contribute approximately 4 million euros. Each district in the region would contribute approximately 2 million euros. However, if Ornamenta II were to be implemented in the originally planned concept and as part of the European Capital of Culture, Pforzheim's contribution would be reduced to around 300,000 euros.
This estimate is based on calculations by recognized experts and comparisons with previous European Capitals of Culture. The city of Pforzheim estimates the total financial cost of becoming the European Capital of Culture, including personnel costs, at approximately 40 million euros. Over seven years, the average annual cost for the districts would be approximately 286,000 euros, and for the city of Pforzheim, around 572,000 euros.
Mayor Schuessler notes that a one-to-one comparison is not appropriate, but rather, it is about comparing and relating the concepts that have been thought of. In this context, the culture mayor indicates clear signals from the economy to significantly reduce the annual own contributions for the Capital of Culture, similar to the 'Jubilee Festival 2017'. During this festival, 79 companies from the city and region contributed a total of 2.4 million euros, with a municipal cost of 2 million euros.
However, the names of these 79 companies are not publicly listed. Nonetheless, the mayor is confident that the support from the local economy will be forthcoming, as it was during the 'Jubilee Festival 2017'.
Mayor Schuessler also released a press statement to clarify conflicting figures about the financial cost of Pforzheim becoming a European Capital of Culture. The application, she emphasized, would not burden the budgets, excluding necessary personnel costs, with an estimated cost of zero euros.
In conclusion, Pforzheim's bid for the European Capital of Culture status is backed by the local economy and the necessary funding, with a minimal financial burden on the city and the region. The city is hopeful that this initiative will further boost the cultural and economic relevance of Pforzheim and the Black Forest region.
