In 2011 Tallinn will become the focus of Europe´s culture scene when it takes on its role as a European Capital of Culture. As part an EU initiotive that started in 1985, two European cities are awarded the honour each year, during which they have the chance to showcase their cultural offerings to the rest of the world.
Tallinn is busily gearing up for the occasion, planning a huge array of special events and holding competitions for ideas, creative works and even ecological souvenirs.
The theme the city has chosen for its 2011 programme is "Stories of the Śeashore". The idea is to re-open the city to the sea, and with the help of writers, musicians, actors, tell the stories of Tallinn´s, and Estonia´s, spiritual and cultural connection to the seashore.
The exact programme for 2011 is still in the works, but visitors don´t have to wait to experience it. Some events have been planned for 2010 as opening events to the ECOC 2011.
