In 1985, actress Melina Mercouri, then Greek Minister of Culture, launched the idea of designating each year “a European city of culture”. Two years later Athens inaugurated the long series of so-called “European Capitals of Culture” from 1999.

This initiative aims to safeguard and promote the diversity of cultures in Europe, to highlight the common traits that they share by consolidating among citizens the feeling of belonging to a common cultural space,but also strengthen the contribution of culture to the long-term economic, social and urban development of cities, taking into account their respective territorial strategies and priorities.

Each year, the title is awarded to a city, in two countries of the European Union according to a predetermined chronological list until 2033.

France and the Czech Republic were nominated for 2028.

The city of Montpellier, Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole Sète, the Occitanie Region, the Departement of Hérault, the agglomeration community of Sète Agglopôle, the Community of Communes of the Pays de Lunel, the Community of Communes of the Grand Pic-Saint-Loup, Community of cities Vallée de l’Hérault and Agglo Hérault Méditerranée embark on an adventure as exciting as never before:
an application to become the European Capital of Culture in 2028.