Nafplion 2021

13 November 2014

Nafplio undertook on 12th November another step in its efforts to claim the title of European Capital of Culture for the year 2021

Aside from the decision by the Municipal Council, it shall be crucial what team will be set up to prepare the bid. As this requires not only skill in management, but an ability to cooperate with all kinds of stake holders, there is a need to overcome what many people claim is impossible in Greece, namely for people to work together.

When referring to the previous European Capitals of Culture in Greece, aside from Athens 1985 being the first one and having a very small budget and only six months to prepare, Thessaloniki 1997 and Patras 2006 were frought with problems. Anestis Mantatzis calls it the problem of 'regime building' which requires both a vertical and horizontal consensus between a variety of stake holders from artists to the Chamber of Commerce. At the same time, it must allow for participation of the citizens rather than be a top down initiative, but which is the usual case in Greece with important impulses and energy sources to go forward collective easily appropriated by a few insiders. There have to be drawn above all some lessons out of the failures of especially both Thessaloniki 1997 and Patras 2006 with Spyros Mercouris till today reluctant to admit mistakes have been made and invaluable opportunities missed because it was a grap for short term advantages. Thessaloniki stays in memory more because of over expensive concerts than anything else. Patras lost out due to the artistic director resigning three days after the opening of the cultural year in January 2006.

Layers of time in Nafplion

It is thus decisive what politicians and others do to find the needed support. As this takes time, a measure thereof can be useful as a reminder. Discussions about Nafplio becoming a candidate city started precisely one year ago, that is in Nov. 2013. Thus it took one full year for the Municipal Council to agree to the legal framework. The same measure of what time it takes to realize the next step applies to the hiring of the team. Since it cannot be done simply per appointment, a legal process has to be observed since the local authority has to uphold a certain law applicable to public procurements. If not observed, it would invite immediately a lot of political controversy. Yet tender and selection takes time. That is why repeatedly the selection panel points out those cities which start early have a better chance at success.

Nafplion by night

Decisive is what position is taken up by the mayor, in the case of Nafplio by Dimitris Kostouros. After tabling the proposition to be a candidate city, it was approved by the city’s council on November 12, 2014. He believes that Nafplio has a lot of advantages given the fact that Nafplio was the first capital of Greece as of 1821. Given the city’s architecture and infrastructure, he thinks compared to the other Greek cities declaring as well their candidacy, that this advantage makes Napflion into a major contender for the title of the European capital of Culture. He added that it was a good way of honoring Ioannis Kapodistrias’ city.”

Of interest is that Mr Kostouros used the occasion to argue against those who believe that now is not the time for such long-term initiatives:

“I am very well aware of the problems that everyone deals with every day because our country is having a difficult time. Setting short or long–term plans for our City’s promotion and development, could only benefit us and boost our local society in many ways. Of course it is not something easy. We must make bold decisions that will drive our city forward.” (1)

He deals here with a complicated issue for high unemployment and lack of funds at Municipal level leave many stranded, with things even likely to get worse if Greece does not succeed to reform its economy and public administration, and this not is by itself the solution. As Harry Dixon puts it in the New York Times, „part of the solution, certainly, has to be zero tolerance toward corruption and cheating. Part of it, too, should be to acknowledge the failings of politics.“ (2) In turn, this would require a culture of honest, best seen that the competition between the Greek cities is fair and transparent, and without inflicting further damage than already the case upon the cultural sector.

The mayor has called as well upon the municipal authorities of Argos and Epidaurus to support the city’s nomination for the European Capital of Culture for the year 2021.

Friends and supporters can follow developments as well on Facebook at

https://www.facebook.com/Nafplio2021

http://greece.greekreporter.com/2013/11/13/nafpliocandidate-for-european-capital-of-culture-2021/
Huo Dixon (2014) „Populists Challenge European Political Order“ New York Times / Reuters NOV. 23, 2014 http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/24/business/international/populists-challenge-european-political-order.html?_r=0

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