The critical dimension of major cultural and artistic events entails, in parallel, the responsibility to measure their effects and impacts in order to assess the scope of the objectives and promote adaptation and improvement measures. For this reason, and within the framework of Jerez’s candidacy to become European Capital of Culture in 2031, the University Extension Service of the Vice-Rectorate for Sustainability and Culture at the University of Cádiz is organizing the International Symposium: European Experiences in Measuring the Effects of Major Cultural and Artistic Events, which will be held on March 25, 2026, at the Coworking Culture and Business space of the Jerez Chamber of Commerce.
This forum will feature the participation of expert researchers from various universities, and its program will be conducted entirely in English. It will bring together European specialists in cultural research and management to analyze methodologies and indicators for evaluating the impact of major cultural events. Among the highlights is the presentation of the Bodø case study as European Capital of Culture 2024, by the research team led by Professor Anatoli Bourmistrov. The meeting will be moderated by international consultant Cristina Ortega Nuere, and scientific coordination will be handled by Antonio Javier González Rueda, principal researcher at the Atalaya Observatory. The program will also include a European panel discussion on experiences, with the participation of university specialists and professionals from the cultural sector.
This meeting is part of the activities of the Atalaya Observatory. The scientific development of this symposium involves academic institutions and European networks specializing in cultural management and university cooperation, including Nord University of Norway, the European Alliance of Universities of the Sea (SEA-EU), and the European Network on Cultural Management and Policy (ENCATC). The event also benefits from the collaboration of institutional and cultural entities such as the Jerez City Council, the Jerez Chamber of Commerce, and the Jerez Athenaeum.
The symposium aims to foster the exchange of knowledge among researchers, institutions, and professionals in the cultural sector, promoting spaces for analysis and international cooperation that contribute to improving the evaluation, planning, and social impact of major cultural events. The event will conclude with a professional networking session designed to strengthen synergies between universities, public administrations, and cultural stakeholders.