It’s All Greek to Me

The European Capital of Culture idea was thought up by a Greek actress, Melina Mercouri, who had become the Greek Minister of Culture in 1983.

The first European Capital of Culture in 1985 was Athens. capital of Greece.

Thessalonica, in Greece, was European Capital of Culture in 1997.

Patras was European Capital of Culture in 2006. Patras is in Greece.

And candidate cities for 2021 European Capital of culture are, Eleusis, Ermoupoli, Kalamata, Tripoli, Sparti, Nafplio, Ioannina, which are all in Greece.

I’m listening to the news as I write this. Greece isn’t doing too well. Apparently, despite showcasing its many cultural gems many times over the past few decades (I’d say disproportionately going by population, but I’m no number cruncher) the economy isn’t exactly thriving.

So it’s a bit surprising to see the Yorkshire Evening Post “issue a rallying cry” and “throw its weight” behind the bid for Leeds to become European Capital of Culture in 2013 without mentioning anything about the background. Except, that is, for the last sentence of the piece, which does mention the “illustrious list of previous title holders including Paris, Berlin and Athens”

Athens… can anyone help me by by letting me know what “Athens” illustrates?

Or, indeed, Liverpool…

Can we please have an adult discussion about this? Or is Leeds really “No Brainer” city?