The Chisinau City Hall intends to apply for the title of European Capital of Culture for Chisinau, IPN reports, quoting the municipal administration.

The Commission of the European Union manages the title and each year the Council of Ministers of the European Union formally designates European Capitals of Culture for a period of one calendar year during which these organize a series of cultural events with a strong European dimension

Preparing a European Capital of Culture can be an opportunity for the city to generate considerable cultural, social and economic benefits and it can help foster urban regeneration, change the city's image and raise its visibility and profile on an international scale.

The participation by the Chisinau City Hall in the European Capital of Culture program at pragmatic level will mean possibility of realizing the tourism potential of the municipality, in particular, and of the country, in general, said the municipal authorities.

The selection criteria state that cities should prepare a cultural program with a strong European dimension, which fosters the participation of the city’s stakeholders as well as its various neighborhoods and attracts visitors from the whole country and Europe.

Athens was designated the first European Capital of Culture in 1985. More than 40 cities have been designated so far.

The Chisinau City Hall decided to apply in association with a Romanian city at the suggestion of Romanian actor Constantin Chiriac, director of the National Theater “Radu Stanca”. The Romanian city hasn’t been yet chosen.