The network of European Capitals of Culture that was created to exchange experiences and learn from other capitals of culture, will meet in Tallinn for the first time. Although the cultural backgrounds of the countries and the title-wearing cities are very different in size and way of life, often the Capitals of Culture face similar challenges, like mapping out the long-term strategy, financing, sponsorship, involving the cultural sector and political meddling.

„It is most useful to compare each other’s programmes and processes: we learned a lot from Liverpool, for example good ideas about the volunteers and hospitality programmes,“ says Jaanus Mutli, member of board of Foundation Tallinn 2011. „On one hand Tallinn is in the teacher’s role, on the other hand we are excited to learn how to use the title given by the European Commission after the title year for development of the city’s cultural life and tourism.“

The meeting will bring to Tallinn leaders of European Capital of Culture Turku 2011, as well as delegations from Liverpool and Stavanger (2008), Linz (2009), Ruhr and Pécs (2010), Guimarães and Maribor (2012), Marseille and Kosiče (2013), Riga and Umeå (2014), Plzeň and Mons (2015), Wrocław and San Sebastian (2016).

The leaders of European Capitals of Culture will naturally check out the programme of Tallinn 2011. They will watch the performance of Sebastian Nübling’s „Three Kingdoms“ in theatre NO99, the final concert of „gateways“ exhibition in Kumu, events of Design Night and a new exhibition of the Estonian History Museum „History’s Face“. Together with the delegation of Japanese cultural philanthropists of the EU–Japan Fest Japan Committee they will open the last installation of LIFT11 in Kadriorg Park „A Path in the Forest“ by Tetsuo Kondo.