In 2004, Lille became European Capital of Culture. From the opening celebration on 6 December 2003, which welcomed more than 750 000 visitors, until the clothing of the Tri Postal, the Lille 2004 venue, on 28 November 2004, Lille 2004 proposed no less than 2,500 events: performances, exhibitions, festivities, metamorphoses...

Throughout the year, the overall project enjoyed the wide participation of local people and was reflected in events of the highest artistic quality. Moreover, these projects took place in 193 cities, towns and village of the entire Nord-Pas de Calais region and Belgium - a first for a European Capital of Culture.