European Commission Engages with Évora’s Government and Organization for 2027 European Capital of Culture

The European Commission is set to meet next week with representatives from the Ministry of Culture, the municipality, and the organizing committee for Évora 2027, the European Capital of Culture (ECC), due to ongoing disagreements about the project, according to a source who spoke to Lusa today.
“I can confirm that we have received a letter expressing concerns regarding Évora 2027, and we are closely monitoring the project’s latest developments. The Commission will convene with the project’s organizers, the Portuguese Ministry of Culture, the city of Évora, and the Évora 2027 coordination team next week,” a community executive official informed Lusa.
This response follows concerns raised by seven directors from current and future European Capitals of Culture, who expressed their worries about the resignation of the leadership team for Évora ECC 2027 just over two years before the event.
The European institution confirmed having received the letter, noting that “the next steps,” following the upcoming meeting, will include submitting a “progress report to the Commission in April 2025.”
Furthermore, “an expert panel will hold a follow-up meeting with the organizers of Évora 2027 in May 2025 to evaluate the preparations and offer guidance and support.”
The expert panel is expected to produce a second follow-up report by June 2025, 18 months before the title year, as stated by the European Commission official.
As recently approved, Maria do Céu Ramos, the president of the Évora2027 Association, will present her testimony in the Portuguese parliament regarding the organization and planning of ECC Évora 2027.
This hearing follows the resignation of Paula Mota Garcia, the coordinator of Évora's candidacy, in October. She indicated that “the conditions were not met” for her to continue, citing delays in establishing the ECC managing association, which was only formalized in February 2024.
Shortly after Mota Garcia’s departure, the board of directors of the Évora27 managing association was appointed, with jurist Maria do Céu Ramos assuming the presidency.
This leadership change has sparked concerns among the directors of seven other ECCs, both current and future, prompting them to write to the European Commission amidst a review of the existing ECC model, which is set to conclude in 2033.
With two years remaining until Évora is designated the European Capital of Culture, the public tender for selecting the artistic and executive directors has yet to be announced. Last week, Maria do Céu Ramos, president of the Évora_27 managing association, criticized actions that she claimed “seriously undermine the project,” while reiterating the “legality and legitimacy” of the new leadership’s mandate.