<p>Jerez is the only Spanish city candidate for European Capital of Culture that will be part of the strategic activities of Culture Next. It will lead the TWG (Thematic Working Group) of Culture Next, a network that brings together candidate and holder cities of the European Capital of Culture program (past, present and future) and of which it has been a part since the end of 2023. In this way, it becomes the only Spanish city to be European Capital of Culture that will participate in the strategic activities of this powerful and recognized international network.</p>
<p>Jerez’s active role in Culture Next will allow the city to reaffirm itself as a driving force within the network by promoting and coordinating the Thematic Working Group (TWG), which will include various European cities and experts in the field of culture. The work of this working group will focus on the participation of cultural industries, especially in the area of ”Interdisciplinary Co-creation.”</p>
<p>Specifically, Jerez will work on coordinating this group in conjunction with the Cypriot city of Larnaka’s bid for European Capital of Culture in 2030. The results of this thematic and specialized work will be disseminated at the Culture Next network conference, scheduled to be held in Larnaka in spring 2026.</p>
<p>The city of Jerez has been a member of Culture Next since the end of 2023. In October of last year, it presented its bid for European Capital of Culture in 2030 at the Culture Next cultural cities forum held in Romania, which was attended by representatives of European cities and major cultural networks, along with delegates from the European Commission, local artists, and various cultural organizations.</p>