European Capital of Culture - Austria / II. Republic of Austria 2003 - 58 Euro Cent

Efforts of the former Minister of Culture and popular singer Melina Mercouri were "to bring the peoples of the EU Member States closer to each other, to improve cultural cooperation and to promote not only the economic and political, but also the cultural unification process." In 1985 Athens was the first European Capital of Culture. Graz, a few years ago the first bridgehead of the West for artists from the Eastern Bloc, is today at the intersection of the cultures of the new Europe with its multicultural tradition and very special desire for innovation also in the field of science and economy certainly the ideal cultural capital for the year 2003 Intendant Wolfgang Lorenz wants to show that "art and culture are a means of life and survival of enlightened, democratic society". The program is guided by the maxim "culture is the most important sustainability that civilization is capable of producing". Many projects will change Graz permanently, such as the redesign of squares. Infrastructural measures are set. The marble island with amphitheater, cafe and children's playground became a floating art and communication platform in January. The big Stadthalle will be completed, a spectacular Kunsthaus on the banks of the Mur, a Literaturhaus, a children's museum and much more will be created.