Larnaca has received the status of Cultural Capital

The expert committee has officially announced: Larnaca will become the European Capital of Culture in 2030. The decision was announced during a live broadcast, which was also streamed by the Cyprus Ministry of Culture on social media. The city’s delegation greeted the news with loud applause — thus ending the months-long competition between Larnaca and Limassol for the prestigious title.

Both cities made it to the final shortlist back in February. A month ago, the committee received the final applications, and on 8 and 9 December, cultural experts from different EU countries visited Larnaca and Limassol in turn to assess the infrastructure, vision and cultural programmes on site.

The status of European Capital of Culture also brings Larnaca a financial bonus: the Melina Mercouri Prize of 1.5 million euros, awarded by the European Commission. Now the city faces several years of intensive preparation — from developing cultural infrastructure to creating programmes that will present Larnaca’s new status at the European level.