Ancient Theater, Larissa.
Larissa, the capital and biggest city of the Thessaly region in Greece, will bid to become the European Capital of Culture in 2021, it was announced Thursday following a City Council meeting.
Larissa’s Alcazar park.
“The positive outcome of the effort and the winning of the title will bring considerable profits to the city and the region”, Larissa Mayor Apostolis Kalogiannis said.
According to the mayor, through the nomination, Larissa can receive a wider promotion throughout Europe as a modern European city.
Mayor Kalogiannis underlined that the Larissa 2021 bid does not only concern Larissa and the municipality but targets a higher level.
“A large section of Thessaly will benefit from such an organization”, he added and invited all stakeholders to embrace the nomination and work together.
Larissa’s cultural offerings include an Ancient Theater, ties with the “Father of Medicine” (Hippokrates Monument), a Municipal Gallery and a Historical and Folklore Museum.
Ancient theater, Larissa.
In addition, Larissa offers access to a range of destinations including Mount Olympos, Tembi Valley, Meteora, the mythical and historical Melivoia and the historical Ampelakia.
“All of this can form an interesting and competitive proposal for to undertake the European Capital of Culture title in 2021”, Mayor Kalogiannis said.
The final decision will be announced in 2016.
European Capital of Culture
The European Capital of Culture institution was founded in 1985 by former actress and then-Greek Culture Minister Melina Mercouri. On the Greek side, Athens, Thessaloniki and Patra have served as European Capital of Culture in 1985, 1997 and 2006 respectively.
