Leuven wins bid for European Capital of Culture in 2030

Leuven will represent Belgium as European Capital of Culture in 2030. This was announced on Wednesday at the Royal Library of Belgium in Brussels. The city was chosen ahead of Namur and Sint-Jans-Molenbeek.

Belgium will share the honour with Cyprus, as two cities have been awarded the title each year since 2004. This will be the fifth time the country has hosted a European Capital of Culture, following Antwerp (1993), Brussels (2000), Bruges (2002) and Mons (2015).

The project, which began in 1985, has grown into one of Europe’s most important cultural initiatives, designed to showcase the richness, diversity and common ground of European cultures while encouraging citizens to get to know each other better.

International ties

Leuven’s strong international outlook, anchored by its university and several art schools, helped secure its bid. The jury witnessed the way the city confronts its complicated recent past, including a stop at the Sanda Dia mural, and highlighted its cultural and natural assets from the Grote Markt and Naamsestraat to the surrounding countryside and Meerdaal Forest.

European recognition

Namur presented its digital arts festival KIKK, its historical centre, folklore and the famed “échasseurs Namurois” stilt walkers. Positioned at the confluence of the Sambre and Meuse rivers, the city has long drawn admiration and was recently named the fifth best European destination by European Best Destination, ahead of Amsterdam and Prague.

Cultural re-branding

Molenbeek also made a strong case, emphasising its cultural vibrancy despite its reputation for violence and political instability. In 2016, US president Donald Trump notoriously labelled the district a “hellhole”, a remark that residents have not forgotten. Yet today it is home to one of Europe’s largest circus communities, as well as numerous theatre groups, dance companies and social initiatives.

A youthful and diverse population, with one in three residents under 20, adds further vitality. For the jury’s visit, some 200 volunteers cleaned the streets to showcase the municipality, but with Brussels still without a functioning government, its chances were slim.

Upcoming cultural capitals

Looking ahead, Oulu in Finland and Trencín in Slovakia will hold the title in 2026, followed by Liepaja in Latvia and Évora in Portugal in 2027. Cities in the Czech Republic, France, North Macedonia, Poland and Sweden will take their turns before Leuven and Cyprus’s nominee step into the spotlight in 2030.

_{#FlandersNewsService | Chairman of the ECOC 2030 BE panel of experts Jelle Burggraaf holds a paper reading Leuven during the announcement of the Belgian city that has been chosen as ECOC 2030 BE European Capital of Culture 2030, Wednesday 24 September 2025, in Brussels. Candidate cities are Leuven, Molenbeek and Namur. ​
​© BELGA PHOTO BENOIT DOPPAGNE}

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