Bourges is the capital of Cher, in the Center-Loire Valley region. The city has a population of just over 68,000, and nearly 100,000 with its metropolitan area.

City of Art and History, Bourges has a rich architectural heritage. The Saint-Etienne cathedral built in the 13th century is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This cathedral of Gothic architecture is extremely unusual in that it does not possess a transept. Its ancient stained glass windows as well as the sculptures of its central portal are awe-inspiring. Nearby, the flower garden of the Archbishop's Palace is a quiet and peaceful place offering a magnificent view of the Saint-Etienne cathedral.

Bourges is twinned with 8 cities like Aveiro, candidate citiy for european Capital of culture in 2027 in Portugal.

The interview is with the team of Bourges.

Why did your city decide to apply for the European capital of culture?
The idea originally came in 2018 from citizens involved in La Maison de la Culture de Bourges – the first Maison de la Culture in France, milestone of the decentralisation policy of André Malraux and General de Gaulle in the 60s, inaugurated 3 times. The vision of these citizens was to extend the oversized cultural activity of this city of 65.000 inhabitants from a local and regional network in Centre-Val de Loire region to a pan-European scale and bring new opportunities and talents to Bourges.

It was then pushed in a second phase by the candidate Mayor Yann Galut and his team during the election campaign of 2020, that he won, as a central leverage, the best tool, to enable the city to transform itself on a long term vision and strategy and reaffirm, restore its posiiton throuhout the centuries as an innovative European city.

With a unique cultural heritage for a city of 65 000 inhabitants and 3 listings at Unesco, Bourges, once the capital of France during the 100 years war, has always played an innovative role in French and European society using culture : starting with the « grandes heures de Bourges » from duke Jean de Berry to the first Maison de la Culture and the creation of Printemps de Bourges for music at contemporary times. Today, Bourges wants to reinvent itself and try to be inspiring for the challenges of 21st ventury.

What do you think are the keywords of your application?
«Territory of the future» or how a city of less than 100,000 inhabitants can, through culture, inspire medium-sized French and European sister cities on the major issues affecting our society. Cities with less than 100,000 inhabitants represent the largest proportion of inhabitants and citizens in France and in the European Union (more than 150 millions inhabitants). They are the backbone of Europe of the 21st century. These cities are local territories where living together, relationship with others, hospitality carbon balance are present. Thanks to their size and efficiency, they can propose with the strenght of culture alternate and innovative lifestyles and solutions for our common future after covid and at the time of climate change. We put emphasisis on the role of the artists in Europan society of the 21st century, as a continuation of the role of Bourges and Centre – Val de Loire region as a unique territory of residence, creation and innovation for artists from the Renaissance to the contemporary times.

How are you involving citizens in this competition?
Bourges was a pilot city in 2020/2021 for a complete study of cultural practices and cultural needs of citizens by ANCT (French national agency for territories cohesion). From the conclusions of this study and participatory workshops first semester of 2021, we have defined the guide lines of the project and 3 communication times so that citizens can accompany us throughout the first application. In January and Februrary 2022 with "Let's Choose together Bourges 2028" we proposed to citizens and supporters of the candidacy to choose the visual identity of Bourges 2028. It was also a moment of communication on what is a European project with the event on Valentine Day "Europe I love you" because choosing Bourges 2028 is choosing Europe. Then we offered the citizens to "Imagine together Bourges 2028" by setting up 3 European conferences with participatory workshops on the 3 axes of work of our candidacy : culture active against climate change, the role of the artists in the 21st century in Europe and the cities of less than 100,000 inhabitants backbone of France and Europe. Finally, we have set up the phase "Let's innovate together with Bourges 2028", a set of prototype projects aiming at promoting soft mobility in the city and between Bourges and its rural areas, connecting cultural venues and organic farms or natural sites, with curated contemporary creations from local artists. These were the METRO EUROPA and low-carbon RER projects towards the Abbaye de Noirlac.

What are the next steps on your journey?
We are in the home stretch before the submission of the first application file in December 2022. We are now offering citizens the opportunity to invent the future METRO EUROPA lines and network with us to support us in this final phase. The co-creation approach is at the heart of our cultural and artistic project.

What are your thoughts on the European Capital of Culture competition?
ECOC are unique projects to develop a systemic and long term vision of the development of a territory, involving all stakeholders in the same process. At the time of covid and climate change, we are convinced that Europe and culture are the best tools of development for Bourges. This initiated process will prevail anyways for sure, whatever happens as a result of the competition. In between, « Que le meilleur gagne ! »