The celebration of the 25^th Anniversary of the European Capitals of Culture took place in Brussels on the 23rd and 24th March and was organized by the European Commission. At the opening of the event, the Mayor of Athens, Nikitas Kaklamanis was represented by the Deputy Mayor of International Affairs, Mrs. Sophie Daskalaki-Mytilineou.

Mrs. Daskalaki-Mytilineou stated that “It is a great honor for me to represent the Mayor of Athens, Mr. Nikitas Kaklamanis, at the celebration of the Anniversary of the twenty five years from the birth of the most successful cultural policy action of the European Union. And it is a special honor for me to represent the city and the country where this brilliant idea was born, from an internationally renowned personality, Melina Mercouri”.

She also mentioned the dominant role that the City of Athens plays in the cultural scene of the European family and announced the initiative of Athens to create the “Documentation Centre on European Capitals of Culture” in cooperation with the European Commission, the body in charge of this action. The Centre gathers and spreads valuable knowledge gained on European Culture during these 25 years”.

The Documentation Centre on Capitals of Culture is accompanied by a Touring Exhibition encompassing all European Capitals of Culture. The exhibition opened on March the 23^rd with a formal event and the presence of the Commissioner of Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, Androulla Vassiliou, the Deputy Mayor of International Affairs, Sophie Daskalaki-Mytilineou and Mr. Spyros Mercouris.

After the opening, Mrs. Daskalaki-Mytilineou underlined: “It is exceptionally important that it is the city that gave birth to the most successful Cultural Policy of the European Union that offers today, 25 years after, a new tool for the promotion and preservation of the heritage thus created and still being created for the future. Athens remains at the forefront of every effort for a united European Family through Culture”.

Important personalities were present at the festivities such as Mr. José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, Mrs. Doris Pack, President of the European Parliament's Cultural Affairs Committee but also numerous MEPs, Mayors and European Cities’ representatives.