Évora 2027 delivers the final bid book for European Capital of Culture, presenting VAGAR as "An(other) Art of Existence".
As a way of being and living deeply rooted in the Alentejo and improved as an art over thousands of years, VAGAR stands out even more strongly as "another art of existence" for Humanity. Évora__27 candidacy and its cultural and artistic programme are based on this concept, taking it further in a contemporary approach that invites Europe to embrace VAGAR - the full awareness that as humanity, we are always in relation with the universe - asking questions and seeking answers for the challenges we collectively face, helping build a more peaceful future.
Alongside representatives from different entities that make up the Executive Committee Évora 2027 who were present at the submission of the candidacy dossier, Carlos Pinto de Sá, Mayor of Évora, highlighted the "commitment of the region" to Évora's and the Alentejo's candidacy for European Capital of Culture in 2027, and added: "I think this is an excellent candidacy, one with its eyes set on the country, and on Europe, but which is, most of all, part of our identity, part of Évora and part of the Alentejo. We believe that this is an excellent proposal for the entire region's development based on culture".
Regarding the bid book’s final version and its inspiring concept, VAGAR, Paula Mota Garcia, coordinator of the Évora 2027 Mission Team, stated: "It is a very honest view of the region. It starts from Évora and the Alentejo history, from its essence, its identity, and poses questions to Europe, questions concerning the present and the future".
The delivery of this dossier, which deepens different dimensions of the application form, and considers the recommendations made by the expert panel in the pre-selection phase, is one more stage in a candidacy process that will conclude on December 7, 2022, with the announcement of the Portuguese city that will be named European Capital of Culture in 2027. Until then, on November 28, Évora will welcome the international expert panel members who evaluate the candidacies, before defending Évora__27’s proposal in a hearing with that same panel, on December 6, in Lisbon.
Évora's candidacy for European Capital of Culture is promoted by the Executive Committee Évora 2027, led by the Municipality of Évora. This Executive Committee is also composed by the Alentejo Regional Directorate for Culture, the University of Évora, the Intermunicipal Community of Central Alentejo, the Alentejo Regional Development Coordination Commission, Turismo do Alentejo - ERT, Eugénio de Almeida Foundation and the Alentejo Regional Agency for Tourism Promotion - ARPTA.