On November 20th 1995, the European ministers of culture designated the cities which will be European Capitals of Culture in the year 2000. Together with Santiago de Compostela (Spain), there will be Avignon (France), Bergen (Norway), Bologna (Italy), Brussels (Belgium), Cracow (Poland), Helsinki (Finland), Prague (Czech Republic) and Reykjavik (Iceland).

Santiago's own ambition has thus been fulfilled, and at the same time its initiative has been recognized, since the Galician city was the first to suggest that because of the special significance of the year 2000, the status of cultural capital should be shared out among several countries.

Santiago's project means that the cultural exchanges between the cities designated will have to begin immediately so as to prepare the ground over the next four years.

Santiago also recommends the promotion of new cultural products which will leave their mark on the chosen capitals after the year 2000.

The Galician capital also hopes to take advantage of the celebration to promote a major historical debate on the significance of the end of the millennium.

If you need more information about Galicia and Santiago de Compostela, please click here.

You may also have access from here to the Galician newspaper El Correo Gallego (in Spanish and Galician languages).

Thank-you, very much!