COUNCIL OF URBAN CULTURE - Documentation : Final Report
LUXEMBOURG AND GREATER REGION EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE 2007
Direct Impact and Legacy, Benefits and Critique
National Impact - Tourism
During the Luxembourg and Greater Region European Capital of Culture 2007 festival, a total of 3,3 million people visited Luxembourg.
Tourism increased by 7% (visitors who stayed over night), generating national revenue based on culture.
International Impact - A Common Venue
In 2009, the border-crossing project that involved four regions around Luxembourg (Saarland and Rhineland-Palatinate in Germany, Lorraine in France and the French and German-speaking communities of Belgium) still existed despite the complicated political structures of Belgium and France.
The cross-border project 2007, effected the creation of a common “Espace Culturel Grande Region” in Esch-sur-Alzette in the South of Luxembourg. (www.espaceculturelgr.eu)
National Weakness - Delegation of Work
The distribution of sites and designation of participating architects was conceived by international curators whilst the impact was poorly documented by international cultural advisors. The media portrayed the event as successful but the citizen complained that money was wasted on short-term benefits and favoured an existing cultural elite.
International Weakness - Culture Politics
The host cities risk entering a game of culture politics which favours wealthy nations over less wealthy ones. The Programme gradually diverts from its initial objectives.
Conclusions
In retrospect, the first two title years did not lead to enough long-term change in Luxembourg.
Culturally, it needs to reveal its scientific treasures (beyond the banking districts, new campuses and datacentres) to the wider society.
Physically, it finally needs to update its infrastructure to meet the needs of all social classes.
Luxembourg must prove itself that integration works both ways.