What does a city need to become European Capital of Culture for a year? What opportunities does the title offer? EuroparlTV identifies the different dimensions of the year, and discovers what two of the Capitals of Culture offer Europeans in 2010.

Focus: From Athens to Essen - European Capitals of Culture

What is Europe? Is it about politics,   economy, trade or culture?

European cultures are very different.   Is it possible to export them so that

a nation's monuments and history   become a shared European heritage?

This was the idea of Melína Merkoúri,   a Greek actress and singer from the 60s.

In 1985 she became   Minister of Foreign Affairs

and launched   the European Capital of Culture project

which grants EU funds to towns   and cities in recognition of their efforts.

Today the European Capital of Culture   project is 24 years old.

EU members fight for this title   and the funds. Let's see why.

We’re at the former mine of Zollverein.

At first glance it’s hard to believe   that in January 2010

and the Ruhr region,   in the west of Germany,

as one of the   European Capitals of Culture.

thousands of miners   made the region thrive.

The choice of this coal mine,   at one time was the biggest,

most productive in the whole world,   was no accident.

20 years ago, the Ruhr region began   the transformation of the site

In January, a museum covering 5,000   square metres will be inaugurated.

You can discover the Ruhr's history   both before and after industrialisation.

It’s one of a number of projects   in the region.

But being a European Capital of Culture   is more than just a title.

Using something old   to make something new,

that’s the guiding principle of the Ruhr.

and in summer these containers   become a swimming pool.

A few kilometres from this monumental   site lies a synagogue, or what used to be.

A long-time dream of Dr Edna Bröcke,   one of the 110,000 Jews living in Essen.

It was 15 years ago that   the idea came to her

for a museum of Jewish Culture,   but not just any old museum.

Here you discover Jewish culture,   but not in the usual ways.

No more presenting life only through   the prism of World War II.

Not just a place of contemplation   but of curiosity and détente.

These are just a few examples amongst   the multitude of projects in the Ruhr

The projects were chosen   on the basis of 3 clear criteria:

They must showcase the   European dimension of the event.

The EU provides 1.5 million euros   per culture capital.

This sum does obviously not   cover all the costs of the project.

The cities, regions   and the state also fork out.

In the Ruhr almost 350 million euros was   set aside, with a trickle-down expected.

The Ruhr will not be the   only European Capital of Culture.

En route to Turkey,   Istanbul more precisely,

Turkey, a candidate for EU accession   has a lot to gain from 2010.

As of 2011, only towns within EU   Member States will be honoured.

The title European Capital of Culture   is above and beyond

a simple cultural attraction.   Projects are long-term.

that allows them to showcase   their assets and attract tourists.

Residents even get the opportunity to   share their culture with the whole world.

That's all for this week on Focus.   Goodbye.