On 18–19 September in Tartu (Estonia), a special edition of the Kultuurikompass Forum took place, dedicated to summarising the European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024. The meeting brought together experts, cultural operators, and representatives of cities from across Europe to jointly analyse the experiences, successes, and challenges related to the implementation of the ECoC programme.
During the forum, speakers discussed key figures and how they translated into the real experiences of residents and audiences. Numbers took on a concrete, tangible form, allowing everyone to see the real impact of long-term activities. Participants pointed out both moments of brilliance and weak points of the project: what worked well and what lessons need to be learned.
The debates touched upon the question of how to measure the immeasurable – whether it is possible to capture the true impact of culture and the social transformations it brings. Dr Beatriz Garcia, an expert in research on mega-events (such as the Olympic Games) and on urban regeneration through culture, as well as a long-standing member of the European Capitals of Culture panel, spoke about the ongoing process that every European Capital of Culture sets in motion. Legacy is a phenomenon that lasts for years. The title is not a prize for a city but a catalyst for change.
The conference innovatively demonstrated how data flows seamlessly into stories we share in the form of narratives, anecdotes, and recommendations. There was also no shortage of discussions about the future of Tartu and Southern Estonia – how to sustain the synergy, creativity, and collaboration initiated by the European Capital of Culture.
The conference became an important space for reflection on the legacy of Tartu 2024 and an inspiration for other cities and regions (especially in Northern Europe) preparing to take on the role of European Capital of Culture. The culmination of the evaluation of Tartu 2024 is an impressive bilingual publication in Estonian and English, The Story of Survival.
Marta Ryczkowska
