Banja Luka applied for the European Capital of Culture 2024

The city of Banja Luka has sent the European Commission a candidacy application for the European Capital of Culture in 2024, making it officially in the race for the most prestigious European recognition in the field of culture.

Currently, Banja Luka is the only city from Bosnia and Herzegovina that submitted the candidacy, but there are announcements that Mostar could do it, as well as Albanian Tirana and Norwegian Bodo.

Speaking about the Banja Luka candidacy, Mayor Igor Radojicic pointed out that candidacy will go under the motto "Opposites Attract".

The European Capitals of Culture initiative is designed to:

• Highlight the richness and diversity of cultures in Europe

• Celebrate the cultural features Europeans share

• Increase European citizens' sense of belonging to a common cultural area

• Foster the contribution of culture to the development of cities

In addition to this, experience has shown that the event is an excellent opportunity for:

• Regenerating cities

• Raising the international profile of cities;

• Enhancing the image of cities in the eyes of their own inhabitants

• Breathing new life into a city's culture

• Boosting tourism