Oviedo presents its bid for European Capital of Culture in Madrid with “amabilidá” and Asturian pride

The team behind Oviedo’s bid to become European Capital of Culture 2031 returned home after an intense day in Madrid with the feeling that the work had been well done. After months of preparation, the Asturian project was presented to the international jury with a message centred on “amabilidá”, accompanied by references to Asturian cultural identity — such as tonada, bagpipes and apples — and supported by a team that conveyed conviction, enthusiasm and commitment to the cultural future of the region.

The Asturian delegation presented the main elements of the project during a thirty-minute presentation and then answered questions from the selection committee for an hour. The committee is made up of ten European experts. The decision on which cities will pass this first stage of the process will be announced on Friday at around 13:00.

The team presenting the bid consisted of ten people from different areas of the cultural, institutional and scientific sectors. Among them were the Mayor of Oviedo, Alfredo Canteli; the Asturian Minister of Culture, Vanessa Gutiérrez; the biochemist Carlos López Otín; the bid director, Rodolfo Sánchez; and former Vice-Minister of Culture Jorge Fernández León. The presentation was delivered in English, Spanish and Asturian, highlighting the linguistic and cultural diversity of Asturias.

The session consisted of a first part presenting the project followed by a round of questions from the jury, which focused especially on the artistic programme and on the organisational and financial capacity to deliver it.

The central message of Oviedo’s presentation revolved around the concept of “amabilidá”, presented as a response from Asturias to a global context marked by conflict and confrontation, proposing culture as a tool to promote dialogue, consensus and empathy.

After the presentation, which left the team with very positive impressions, Mayor Alfredo Canteli highlighted the work carried out over the past months. “There were many nerves and a lot of excitement, but also a great sense of commitment. The team has worked very hard and answered all the jury’s questions with great precision and responsibility.” Canteli also underlined the social and territorial support behind the bid: “Oviedo and the whole of Asturias are watching what is happening today in Madrid. Something good has to happen. I am full of hope and eager for this to succeed, for Oviedo and for all of Asturias.”

The Asturian Minister of Culture, Vanessa Gutiérrez, delivered her final intervention in Asturian, highlighting the importance of having a unique and minoritised language and its role as a key element of cultural identity. “There is a project that goes beyond the city, a project for the whole of Asturias that has the full support of the Asturian Government,” she said.

Gutiérrez also emphasised that the bid reflects a long-term cultural vision. “There is a roadmap and a project that goes beyond a bid for European Capital of Culture. It has to do with the future of Asturias and involves a commitment to culture, participation and the cultural rights of the Asturian people.”

The team explained to the jury that the bid represents a collective project supported by people from different areas of the cultural sector, public administrations, organisations and community groups, as well as different generations, reflecting the diversity of the Asturian cultural ecosystem. The proposal presents culture as a transformative tool for the region, aimed at strengthening the cultural fabric, encouraging citizen participation and addressing challenges such as retaining young talent in Asturias.

After Oviedo, the cities of Palma de Mallorca, the Valencian town of Potries and Toledo presented their projects, following alphabetical order. The international committee will announce on Friday which cities pass this first stage of the selection process. The final decision on which city will become European Capital of Culture in 2031 will be announced later this year.