In November 2016, the final decision will be taken on which European city should be awarded the European Capital of Culture title for 2021, with three Greek cities, Kalamata, Elefsina and Rhodes representing the entries from Greece.

The European Commission’s European Capital of Culture initiative, now in its 30th year, is designed to highlight the richness and diversity of cultures in Europe, celebrate the cultural features Europeans share, increase European citizens’ sense of belonging to a common cultural area, and foster the contribution of culture to the development of cities.

The initiative was the brainchild of Greek actress and former Minister of Culture, Melina Mercouri, and the very first European Capital of Culture was awarded to Athens in 1985. Thessaloniki won the award in 1997, and Patras in 2006.

In the past, winning the accolade has benefited the winning city by boosting regeneration, raising the city’s international profile, enhancing the image of cities in the eyes of their own inhabitants and boosting tourism.

Now pondering whether their own hometowns could be the bearer of the award for 2021, three Greek personalities share their thoughts.

Christos Dimas | Director

Elefsina

The choice for the nomination of Elefsina can only give joy and pride to someone like me, who grew up, went to school, played basketball and made ​​my first feature film in the surrounding neighborhoods.

Elefsina is a very special city. It combines, in an almost magical way, its historical past, the sea and a modern industrial landscape.

The archaeological site in the center and the port facing Salamina along with the wonderful industrial installations which in the summer, host one of the best festivals of Greece, combine into a unique cultural point.

A lot has to be done to spruce up the area, like renovating buildings that can reflect the importance of such an honor (to be the cultural capital). The people of Elefsina must embrace this moment and see this award as an opportunity to highlight the real soul of this eternal city.

Panos Drakopoulos | Poet

Rhodes

Rhodes, the European Capital of Culture for 2021? Let’s ask ourselves. What do we know of the city already? How it embodies decades of harmonious coexistence of European and east Frankish medievalism and a mediterranean climate; a bridge between two worlds as Odysseus Elytis wrote in 1947?

How does it remain calm, welcoming and collected, in the face of both a continuous stream of summer visitors from every part of the globe and, lately, the countless floating caravans of refugees?

How, through its people, has it become a ridge of modern European culture, a dynamic island in the ocean of globalism, preserving its uniqueness in art through a simplicity and humility difficult to find elsewhere?

Rhodes, the European Capital of Culture for 2021? I repeat: let’s ask what we already know about it.

Roula Georgakopoulou | Journalist – Writer

Kalamata

I love Elefsina for the Aeschylia and Rhodes for its uniqueness, but if Kalamata wins, I think that it will help us overcome two recent blows to our once enviable cultural profile.

First of all; the problems caused by the removal of Vicky Marangopoulos from the International Dance Festival. Winning the Capital of Culture could, perhaps, end this heartache and provide the opportunity for a renewed presence of the city, not only for residents but, also, for southwestern Greece in its entirety.

The second, but equally important event is the mysterious disappearance of the EU flag from the central square. With the European Capital of Culture, Europe will be at center stage once more. Kalamata could start to dream of a bright cultural future again.

The building infrastructure is fully operational. The new roads and the airport are opening the region to the world and the city has people capable of offering the best, as long as you inspire and trust them.

Originally published in Kathimerini newspaper