Łódź is winning in Polish cities ranking of „Polityka” evaluating the chances for the title of European Capital of Culture in 2016. Our chief assets are attractive post-factory spaces, modern use of traditions of a multicultural city, honorary committee with Daniel Libeskind and Karl Dedecius, new edifices of the Łódź Philharmonic Orchestra and Museum of Art, famous events such as the Dialogue of Four Cultures Festival and Camerimage.
PIOTR SARZYŃSKI

In 7 years time one of Polish cities will have the title of European Capital of Culture. And although the battle for this title will begin at the end of the year, the candidates’ tournament has already begun.

The idea for one of the cities of the old continent to show off culturally in front of the rest of Europe belongs to Melina Mercouri, once a famous singer, and then the minister of culture of Greece. The idea caught on, though in the beginning under a more modest name European City of Culture, and the first chosen city was Athens. It was 1985. During the next 15 years the ministers of culture of European Union chose each year  a different city, usually a capital city or a big metropolis (e.g. Paris, Madrid, Copenhagen, Stockholm).

At the turn of the century the system was changed. Firstly, the City of Culture was promoted to the Capital of Culture, which gave prestige. Secondly, the idea was taken under the wings of the united forces of the Council of Europe, European Parliament and Committee of the Regions, which made the rank of the undertaking grow. And in 2000, for the first and last time this title was awarded at the same time to nine cities. Also for the first and – so far – last time, we found ourselves in this group too, and precisely Kraków.

Since 2009 there have been new rules. In each season, two cultural capitals are chosen (only in 2010 there will be exceptionally three). Different cities will still fight for the title, but not countries any more as the countries have been joined in pairs up to 2019. We will present ourselves in a pair with Spain, and for example the Czech with the Belgian, the Bulgarian with the Italian, the Estonian with the Finn. For Poland the true rivalry will begin at the end of this year together with the formal announcement of this competition, and will finish not before the second quarter of 2012 with the final nomination. The choice will be made by 13-people commission (6 Polish plus 7 delegates from EU). That’s all about the rules of the battle.

The victorious city gets from EU a donation in the amount of 1.5 m euro. That is not very much. A lot more can be gained from the EU’s operational programmes, structural funds etc. But also, a lot must be invested. It was calculated that Liverpool – European Capital of Culture in 2008 earned 800 m pounds on this undertaking. But to do this you must have in the programme – like a British metropolis – concerts of Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, exposition of Gustav Klimt, or the ceremony of MTV music awards. Certainly, you can count on prestige, splendour, a possibility to establish your presence in the consciousness of a typical European. And maybe also on new investments, which will stay for the future. For instance, in Graz, an impressive Kulturhaus was built, and in Avignon – the Museum of Modern Art.

[...] A lot of circumstances decide on the city choice. What is interesting, the EU decision-makers emphasize that „The city is not chosen the capital only because what kind of a city it is and what it has done so far. The city is awarded a title first and foremost for the programme which it intends to realize”. Thus, an original plan and idea for its realization is more important than the so far merits and potential abilities. Such attitude equalizes forces of the small and the bigger.

Before the final programmes of particular cities appear, and the jury weight all “pros” and “cons”, we can already announce our own tournament of the cities and try to point to those from the candidates who seem to have the most assets today.

In this game, only those cities are taken into account which definitively and irrevocably declared their participation in the rivalry. There are eight of them: Szczecin, Poznań, Warszawa, Łódź, Wrocław, Toruń, Lublin and Gdańsk. According to the estimation of the Ministry of Culture and Cultural Heritage, maybe even twice as many cities will compete for the title. However, let’s stay by those which are already getting ready. The game has the form of a ranking. I give points (from 1 to 3) in 10 categories. The city which collects the most of them will win. So get to work.
1
 Predispositions to fulfil EU guidelines. It was accepted that the fundamental aim which the cultural capital should reach is “emphasizing the community and diversity of Europe’s cultures”. Particular cities have different historical experience in this matter and different readiness to take up discourse. Thus, 3 points to Łódź, using for a long time the motive of mixing four cultures in this city: Polish, Russian, Jewish and German. 2 points to Wrocław and Szczecin for reference to German tradition, to Toruń and Gdańsk for the asset of hanseatic past and to Lublin for building the image of “city-gate towards the East”. Warszawa and Poznań – 1 point each for generally international smartness. Additional 0.5 point to Wrocław for the idea of revitalization of the Four Temples District (synagogue, catholic church, Evangelical church and Orthodox church).
2
 Idea for the festival. That is what will be crucial at the end. Some cities have already presented their initial visions. Gdańsk decided to play with the most obvious card: Solidarity and gift of freedom. This time not on the political surface but the freedom in culture, in the sphere of the exchange of information, creativity etc. The idea is interesting, for 2.5 points. Łódź has not offered anything particular yet. It assures of rich traditions, good will, bright future, but lacks an original idea combining everything. It has, however, unusually dignified Honorary Committee with Daniel Libeskind, Andrzej Wajda or Karl Dedecius (but now, surprisingly, without David Lynch). And for this committee I give 1 point.
Lublin, on the other hand, refers to heritage, tolerance tradition, but in the first place, it present itself as a place where the East meets the West, great cultures meet. Not bad. For 2 points Toruń has already agreed with one of Spanish candidates – Pamplona – and both cities together make endeavours towards the nomination. Good marketing catch, however, we should remember that two can play at the game; weak presentation of Pamplona can also plunge Toruń. For the time being, the scientists from both cities have been  translating Saint Thomas Aquinas’ writings. But so far, there has been lack of a coherent idea. I give, then, 1 point for Pamplona and 0.5 point for Saint Thomas. Nothing is known about Wrocław conception, so 0 point. Poznań plays strongly with the card of already existing festivals and local tradition (dialect, pyry, rogale świętomarcińskie, koziołki). It is not a very original idea – 1 point. [...]
3
 Website. Unfortunately, none of the cities managed to create a service which would charm with its looks, surprise with formal solutions and collected information. Not to mention the fact that under the sign “2016” usual news services about cultural events in a given city have been stuffed. Thus, 2 points to Łódź for the most developed (unfortunately, also very traditional) website. [...]
4
 Cultural Infrastructure. In theory, Warszawa should be unrivalled with its 35 smaller and bigger theatres, Sala Kongresowa, the great Theatre and a lot of cultural associations, foundations, agendas and institutions. Nevertheless, 0.5 point has to be subtracted for the lack of big, impressive multifunctional show hall. That’s why 2.5 points. The same as to Łódź which caught up with the capital city thanks to new edifices of Philharmonic Orchestra and the Museum of Art. [...]
5
 Experience in the organization of artistic events and festivals. With not significant advantage, but still in the first place Warszawa with the whole package of big cyclic and realized for a long time events. From Theatre Meetings, Warsaw International FilmFest and International Book Fair, through Beethoven, Mozart Festivals and Warsaw Autumn, to Warsaw Summer Jazz Days and Jazz Jamboree. And many more. In brief: 3 points. 2 points each go to Poznań (unmatched Malta and a few others), Wrocław (Wratislavia Cantans, actor song) and Łódź (Camerimage, the Dialogue of Four Cultures Festival). And 1 point each to other cities. Each city has festival gems, but none of them can be called festival area.
6
 Cultural life dynamics. In this category, we evaluate how strongly in particular cities people focused in the recent years on culture development, invested, whether new, original ideas were born. Warszawa presents new and well organized but not really original Warsaw Festival and ambitious plans concerning successive events (design festival and ”Przemiany”). But also destroying the image maelstrom around the construction of the Museum of Modern Art and liquidated Rajkowska’s “Dotleniacz”. It seems that the authorities of the capital city talk a lot but do less. Maximum 1.5 point. Łódź invested in infrastructure: new edifices of the Łódź Philharmonic Orchestra (opened in 2004) and the Museum of Art (opened in 2008). Among new festivals Łódź Design seems to be the most promising. All together 2.5 points. Wrocław has good intentions and a lot of perfect but already well-deserved cyclic events. Non Stop festival is quite fresh. There is a lack of new, big spaces for culture. Mark: 2 points. It is just as in Poznań: new Performance festival, active Old Brewery, but there is no visible acceleration. Also 2 points. On the other hand, Toruń needs new, original initiatives, but it is still 2 points for two fantastic investments: new premises of Baj Theatre (2006) and Modern art Centre (2008). Other cities get 1 point each for moderate innovativeness and moderate successes of recent years.

[...] Special atmosphere of the city. In other words, does a newcomer feel well and safe, expose to local magic (if such exists at all). [..] Łódź could get 2 – 2.5 points for Piotrkowska street but since the city life has moved to Manufaktura, I only give 1.5 point, because it is still too commercial existence, although undoubtedly on the highest level. There are plans to create new attractive centre near Łódź Fabryczna. And for this plan I give in advance 0.5 point. [...]

Other values of the city and surroundings. Toruń is obviously characterized by gingerbread and Copernicus, Gdańsk by the sea, Kaszuby and Memling, Łódź – post-factory spaces, Lublin – east climates, and Wrocław – the most interesting among the candidates attractions within 100 km from the city. It is difficult to weight arguments and attractions here, thus I give quite subjectively, to Warszawa – 3 points, Gdańsk, Wrocław – 2.5 points, Poznań, Toruń, Łódź – 2 points, Szczecin, Lublin – 1.5 point.

To sum up, for the time being Łódź seems to be the most interesting candidate. It has begun to fight for the nomination as the first city and it has taken the lead. But it must feel a hot breath of a strong group: Gdańsk, Toruń and Poznań. Warszawa and Lublin stay behind, and Szczecin has the least assets. But there is a lot of time left and everything can change. And one brilliant and well planned idea can turn this ranking upside down. There is going to be an interesting battle.

Piotr Sarzyński’s text appeared
on 18 April 2009 in a weekly „Polityka”.
Summaries from editorial staff of „EC1 Dziennik Kolejowy”
© POLITYKA Sp. Pracy, 2009