site.btaMay 19, 2015: Bulgarian City of Plovdiv Officially Designated as European Capital of Culture 2019

On May 19, 2015 in Brussels, Bulgaria's second largest city, Plovdiv, was designated as European Capital of Culture 2019 along with the Italian city of Matera. The European Capital of Culture initiative was developed in 1985 and has, to date, been awarded to more than 60 cities across the European Union (EU) and beyond, Plovdiv being the first and only Bulgarian city to have held the title. 

Through an EU-supported yearlong celebration of art and culture, the initiative aims to draw attention to culture in European cities. 

Following is the Bulgarian News Agency's news piece on the event.

Brussels, May 19 (BTA correspondent Nikolay Jeliazkov) - The Council of the EU officially designated the south-central Bulgarian city of Plovdiv as a European Capital of Culture in 2019. 

After the decision was stated, Plovdiv Mayor Ivan Totev congratulated Bulgaria, because this is the first time a Bulgarian city is designated as a European culture capital. Speaking to journalists in Brussels, Totev explained that this is a huge opportunity for promoting Bulgarian culture. He noted that the budget for turning his city into a European Capital of Culture is 34 million euro, of which 20 million leva are provided by the State and the rest will come from mixed municipal and private financing. He voiced hope that the number of tourists to visit Plovdiv in 2019 will reach three million. 

Under the motto "Together", Plovdiv will highlight its multicultural aspect, including its Roma communities, and create new opportunities in creative and cultural industries for local inhabitants.