Both Malmö and Borås have dropped out on the grounds that the investment would be too expensive. But Emilia Töyrä (S), chairman of the culture and education board in Kiruna, has a different perspective and believes that a European Capital of Culture year in Kiruna could drive the influx that the city needs.
— We have a huge need for people to move in, but what are all these people supposed to do besides work? In economically difficult times, we believe that daring to invest in culture will pay off financially, but above all that our population will become more prosperous, she tells Kulturnytt.
She is disappointed by the low interest among Swedish cities and is not afraid of the competition from Uppsala.
— It is a challenge to face such a large municipality, but Kiruna has something that is much more unique from a European perspective.
Even Patric Kiraly, main project manager for the capital of culture year at Uppsala municipality, wants competition from more Swedish cities.
— I think we need to research ourselves in Sweden about how we take care of the European dimension, how to value a project like this.
So far, two Swedish cities have been European capitals of culture: Stockholm in 1998 and Umeå in 2014.
Kiruna has received a new city center since the mining caused large parts of the city to be relocated. Archive image.