Tilburg postpones investment in 2018 Cultural Capital
The Tilburg city council has postponed the decision to invest 10 million euro in Brabant Cultural Capital 2018 until after the summer. A large majority of city council members argues that there are still too many uncertainties about the financial position of the municipality.
The postponement of the investment of 10 million euro by the municipality of Tilburg is due to its financial uncertainty. Political parties prefer to await the consequences of the government budget cuts and the municipality’s shortage in land exploitation. Research of Tilburg University recently showed that the economic benefits of the title European Capital of Culture on average are twice as high as the investments. The title has also a positive influence socially and culturally. and is good for Tilburg’s reputation
The title European Capital of Culture 2018 is a joint endeavor by the province of Brabant and the five major cities Eindhoven, Tilburg, Breda, Den Bosch and Helmond. Each city will invest 10 million in the project and the province adds another 50 million. The Brabant cities compete with rival cities The Hague, Maastricht, Utrecht and Leeuwarden. Eindhoven is candidate on behalf of the five cities of Brabant.
Marjo Frenk, alderman of culture (Green Left), opposed the postponement because of agreements already made with other cities. The candidacy of Eindhoven has to be finalized and confirmed by the submission of a bidbook, a book that should convince the jury in their decision. [AS]
