Representatives from Nottingham’s European Capital of Culture bid have been left ‘encouraged’ by ongoing legal talks.
Last week, the European Commission said no city from the UK could be the Capital of Culture for 2023 because of Britain leaving the European Union.
Nottingham was due to compete against Belfast, Dundee, Leeds and Milton Keynes for the status and the chosen city was due to share the status with one from Hungary.
But the European Commission, which runs the scheme, said in a letter to the British Government UK access would be ‘discontinued’ following Brexit.
A joint statement from representatives from the five bidding cities said: “We met with reps of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to discuss the letter.
“The meeting with DCMS was positive and we were encouraged by their commitment to try and resolve this issue with the European Commission and agree a clear way forward for the cities involved.
“We urged the Department to continue its negotiations with the European Commission on the legitimacy of its latest decision.
“In addition we are seeking clarity given that the United Kingdom has not yet left the EU and the terms of that departure are not yet agreed.
“We have collectively therefore requested that DCMS takes further advice on the legal status of the announcement as a matter of urgency.”
Video: The moment Nottingham’s Capital of Culture bid was launched
At the time of the withdrawal, @Nottingham2023, the official account for the bid, Tweeted: “Our bid has brought Nottingham together & regardless of any outcomes we will work to implement many of the positive actions through the Strategic Cultural Framework.
“We are liaising with DCMS & hope this can be resolved positively for UK bidding cities.”
Nottingham’s bid was called Nottingham 2023: Breaking the Frame focusing on the legacy and spirit of Robin Hood.
It was submitted to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport on Friday October 27.
The bid has the backing of leading artists, actors, authors, musicians and theatre makers, including Vicky McClure and Sleaford Mods, as well as cultural and civic organisations, sports clubs, businesses and residents.
The programme is an annual competition in which cities from two selected European countries bid for the title.
The last British capital was Liverpool in 2008.
Full joint statement from the five UK cities bidding to be European Capital of Culture
“On Tuesday (November 28), we met with representatives of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport including John Glen MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Arts, Heritage and Tourism.
“We met to discuss the letter sent last week to the UK Government by the European Commission stating that the participation of the UK in the European Capital of Culture in 2023 will not be possible.
“Firstly we want to acknowledge the huge and passionate support we have all received locally, nationally and internationally since the receipt of this letter.
“In particular we appreciate the support from previous and future European Capitals of Culture and from members of the independent judging panel which itself had expected to be interviewing our teams this week as part of the formal shortlisting process.
“It is further evidence of the power of arts and culture to bring the peoples of Europe closer together.
“The five cities were united in their desire to find solutions which will enable them to realise their cultural ambitions and further develop their cultural integration with people across Europe.
“The meeting with DCMS was positive and we were encouraged by their commitment to try and resolve this issue with the European Commission and agree a clear way forward for the cities involved.
“We urged the Department to continue its negotiations with the European Commission on the legitimacy of its latest decision.
“In particular we wish to highlight that the announcement by the European Commission counters a very recent decision of the European Parliament in June 2017 and of the Council in September 2017 which includes a calendar confirming the UK as the host country in 2023.
“In addition we are seeking clarity given that the United Kingdom has not yet left the EU and the terms of that departure are not yet agreed.
“We have collectively therefore requested that DCMS takes further advice on the legal status of the announcement as a matter of urgency.
“The meeting also allowed us to consider jointly how we ensure the local energy, enthusiasm and work done by our cities and partners to date can be positively harnessed and recognised even if the Commission maintains its position.
“This sudden change of heart has the potential to disrupt well over 100 cultural collaborations across the continent which bidding cities have been developing in good faith.
“We all recognise the urgent need to reach a conclusion in a timescale that allows us to harness the momentum in our cities.
“Therefore intensive and constructive discussions will continue over the coming weeks.”
