The cities of Aveiro, Braga, Évora, and Faro have just formalised the Cities of Culture Network, led by the Municipality of Évora, which came about as a result of the natural evolution of the work carried out by these cities over the last few years as part of their respective bids to become European Capital of Culture 2027, an initiative that required the definition of a cultural strategy for each candidate city. This network also includes Turismo do Alentejo and Teatro Circo de Braga.
The 12 Portuguese cities that initially intended to apply for the title of European Capital of Culture decided, back in 2020, at the proposal of the Municipality of Faro, to work together to start a dialogue with the government, through the Ministry of Culture, on issues that cut across the various bids. This spirit of cooperation continued into the final selection phase (Évora, Aveiro, Braga, and Ponta Delgada).
Aveiro, Braga, Évora, and Faro are now renewing their partnership in response to the opportunity to apply for Portugal 2030 support, which will be submitted this December. The investment will be channelled towards activities already planned in the cultural strategies of each of the cities, namely in the programmes of the Portuguese Capital of Culture (Aveiro and Braga) and European Capital of Culture (Évora) initiatives.
In addition to these activities, the action plan of this Cities of Culture Network includes the development of a legacy project for the future Portuguese Capitals of Culture.