Matera and Plovdiv: European Capitals of Culture 2019 Forge Strong Ties

Matera and Plovdiv, the European Capitals of Culture for 2019, have intensified their collaboration through a series of joint events under the banner "Plotera weeks – Plovdiv and Matera together for an Open Future." The partnership began with opening ceremonies featuring the Rocco D'Ambrosio wind orchestra from Montescaglioso performing in Plovdiv on January 12 and the Maritza Brass Band in Matera on January 19. A photographic exhibition, "European Eyes on Japan," produced with EU-Japan Fest, was shown in Matera in summer and in Plovdiv until November 27. Italian photographer Alessia Rollo and Bulgarian Vladimir Pekov participated in a residency in Japan to develop a "European gaze" on Japan's inner areas. Recent activities include the exhibition "Delle lettere fra Plovdiv e Matera" on the Cyrillic alphabet at the Biblioteca Stigliani until October 31, preceded by workshops from the Open Design School. The Mestiere Cinema Festival in October focused on Bulgarian cinema and musical composition for film. The Fusion Urban Games Festival took place in Matera from October 31 to November 2 and in Plovdiv from November 8 to 11, combining game design, performing arts, and installations in public spaces. The collaboration stems from a shared ethos: Plovdiv's slogan "Together" mirrors the title of Matera's initial bid dossier.