Coimbra Group supports Granada’s candidacy for European Capital of Culture 2031
06 October 2025
The Coimbra Group has officially expressed its support for Granada’s candidacy to become the European Capital of Culture in 2031, joining the growing list of institutions backing the city’s ambitious cultural vision.
On 6 October, in the historic heart of Granada, Ludovic Thilly, Chair of the Coimbra Group Executive Board, and Granada’s Mayor, Marifrán Carazo, jointly signed the Declaration of Support for the “Granada – European Capital of Culture 2031” initiative. The event, attended by Pedro Mercado, Rector of the University of Granada, marked a significant milestone in the city’s campaign.
“We are very proud to stand with Granada on this journey,” said Ludovic Thilly. “Granada is a perfect example of a strong dialogue and partnership between a University and a Municipality, generating unique synergies between education, research, innovation and service to the society”.
By endorsing the Declaration of Support, the Coimbra Group reaffirms that “culture, the arts, cultural heritage and diversity are of great value to European society from a social, educational, environmental, human rights, innovation and economic perspective (…) and that the cultural and creative sectors play a fundamental role in promoting democratic values, social and economic cohesion, human prosperity, and inclusion in our societies”.
This vision aligns with the Coimbra Group’s Poitiers Declaration on University-City cooperation, which highlights knowledge-driven cultural initiatives as positive instruments for civic engagement and shared growth and emphasizes the key role of Universities in shaping the development of Cities while also recognizing the reciprocal influence Cities have as catalysts for the development of academic institutions.
Granada’s candidacy is rooted in inclusivity and participation, actively involving local communities, artists, businesses, and institutions. Central to this vision is the University of Granada, a driving force in bridging culture, research, innovation, and education.
Since its inception in 1985, the same year the Coimbra Group was founded, the European Capitals of Culture programme has celebrated the richness and diversity of cultures in Europe while fostering the contribution of culture in the development of cities. To date, over 60 cities across Europe and beyond have held this prestigious title.
Several cities home to Coimbra Group member universities have been honoured as European Capital of Culture: Galway, Aarhus, Wrocław, Turku, Istanbul, Vilnius, Graz, Salamanca, Bergen, Bologna, Kraków, Prague and Dublin.
Most recently, Leuven, also hosting a Coimbra Group member university, was nominated for the 2030 European Capital of Culture title just two weeks ago.
The signing coincided with a visit of the Coimbra Group Executive Board Chair and Office Director to the University of Granada, which will host the next Annual Conference and General Assembly of the Coimbra Group from 16-19 June 2026.
Read the related news published by the University of Granada (in Spanish).
