Every year the European Union highlights two European Capitals of Culture (ECoC) to foster the cultural heritage and the future development of these designated cities on a European dimension. 

Already in the preparatory period, the selected cities will analyze their outstanding features in terms of historical background and the environmental, economical and social context of the cities and the region. What are the ingredients for creating a special showcase of the cities’ characteristics? What is the golden thread for the storytelling and creativity of these cities? What could have a sustainable, long lasting impact after the European Capital of Culture?

Riga, ECoC 2014, have developed the concept “Tu un tagad”, that means – You now. It is an invitation to the every citizen of Riga to create and to participate in the processes and events in the city, also to take over an active role of creative city making. It is very important to change the understanding of the culture consumption.

Which tools can digital cultures and technologies provide to facilitate the public involvement and to support a bottom-up infrastructure in European Capital of Cultures?

Riga 2014 wants to encourage a local dialogue and exchange as well as present initiatives like ‘Connecting Cities’, which will furthermore involve the citizens in a translocal dialogue with other European citizens. ‘Connecting Cities’ is a EU funded artistic research project that builds up a European and worldwide network of media facades and projection walls as platforms and forums for the public audience.

Riga 2014 is partner of the Connecting Cities Network and will host the European Capital of Culture Conference on November 17th.

The conference will focus on the methodology and strategy of how to foster an intercultural dialogue between European citizens by using digital technologies. Based on the experience from the previous and current European Capital of Cultures, we will discuss the potential of the use of digital technologies in the future European Capital of Cultures and possible challenges we will face.

The European community is divers and versatile, a contributing factor is the many different cities and their unique cultures. Nowadays, European cities have become global communities where each citizen understands his or herself as not only a national citizen but also as a transnational citizen. A core issue these cities face, is how to create a democratic and European understanding by empowering the citizens in participatory events. Most people in this day and age are heavily reliant on their mobile devices, making urban screens and media facades serve as new community platforms that encourage city inhabitants to actively and conjointly shape the urban space into a common ground for active citizenship.

Speakers at the conference include the so-called smart cities experts from various parts of the world, there will also be panel discussions featuring representatives from other European Capitals of Culture, a representative of the European Commission, and authors of European digital projects.

Further information: http://www.ccnriga.com/