The European Green Capital opening will bring to Tallinn representatives of cities from more than 20 countries
The opening events of the European Green Capital, which will take place from today to Saturday, will bring to Tallinn representatives of 57 cities and municipalities from more than 20 countries, including 8 mayors and the EU Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius.
On Thursday, January 19, members of the European Green Capital and Global Goals for Cities networks will meet in Tallinn. On Friday, a sustainable city management conference will be held, the main speaker of which will be former EU climate commissioner Connie Hedegaard, and which will be opened by mayor Mihhail Kõlvart and EU environment commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius.
According to Mayor Mihhali Kõlvart, cities that bear the title of European Green Capital need to bring together sustainably thinking cities, to guide other cities and to jointly find the best solutions to make cities more sustainable. “According to the UN, by 2050 around 80% of the Europeans will live in the cities, so cities play an important role in achieving the EU’s climate goals. Sustainability governance helps us create a more human-friendly city where everyone has a better living environment,” Kõlvart added.
At the opening ceremony on January 21, EU Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius and 2022 European Green Capital Grenoble Mayor Éric Piolle will hand over the European Green Capital title to Tallinn.
The creative team of the opening ceremony is made up of the actors of the Tallinn City Theater: Mikk Jürjens is the artistic director, Sandra Uusberg and Kaspar Velberg are the evening hosts. Acclaimed musicians Vaiko Eplik and Eliit, Puuluup, Andres Kõpper, JT Conception will perform at the ceremony.
“The opening ceremony is a kind of theater performance, which includes specially created musical performances, short films, speeches and surprises. In order to make the world a better place, we have to feel it to the core and help – both as a city and as citizens,” artistic director Mikk Jürjens described the upcoming performance.
Tallinn received the European Green Capital title from the European Commission in the fall of 2021. The city’s well-thought-out vision and strategic goals for becoming greener and more sustainable were especially highlighted.
In the year of the Green Capital, Tallinn’s main themes are preservation of biodiversity, climate, green innovation and sustainability management. The program of the European Green Capital in 2023 has exciting activities for all residents of Tallinn, including more than 60 events. Many projects and activities focus on environmental awareness and involvement.