Did you know that Marseille was European Capital of Culture in 2013? No it had escaped me too. But I guess the publicity machine will grind into action. Here is a report from The South of France Blog talking about this very fact .....
Marseille: City on the Verge of a Culture Buzz…
Things are changing fast in Marseille. The southern city, still sometimes called “the Naples of France” for its reputation as being messy and unruly, is undergoing a major facelift, and Zaha Hadid’s aquamarine high-rise overlooking the industrial port is but one sign of this rapid transformation.
In 2009, the contemporary art spaces’ network Marseille Expos began Le Printemps de l’art contemporain, a three-day event during which daily itineraries focus on the city’s key artsy neighborhoods. The initiative quickly found its audience: the first year it attracted 3,000 people, the second 5,000. More than 7,000 art enthusiasts were expected for the third edition, which ends this weekend.
Marseille’s forthcoming status as European Capital of Culture in 2013 doubtless contributes to the momentum: here is a not-to-be missed chance to upgrade the city’s cultural infrastructure, expand on its existing artistic landscape and dream of what it could become. “Among all the French cities that applied to be European Capital of Culture, Marseille was the one which needed it most,” said Bernard Latarjet, the former director of Marseille-Provence 2013 (the organization in charge of the event), who spearheaded the city’s application.
Read the full article and enjoy the lovely photos too: Marseille: European Capital of Culture in 2013
Explore Marseille Video:
Nestled between the sea and hills, Marseille is a surprising, seasonless and enthusiastic city. Founded 2600 years ago, the oldest city in France combines the richness of its unique heritage with a vibrant cultural life in one exceptional site.As France's second largest city, Marseille recalls the values of sharing that have shaped its territory for centuries, maintaining in its name "Marseille" the memory of the ancient Greek from Asia Minor that participated in its founding.
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