A panel of 12 independent experts recommended the shortlist following a meeting in Prague. In 2028, the Czech Republic will host the European Capital of Culture for the third time, after Prague in 2000 and Pilsen in 2015.
The Czech Republic invited applications from interested cities in August 2021. Broumov, Brno, České Budějovice and Liberec submitted applications by the deadline of 1st September 2022.
Being shortlisted for the title can result in significant cultural, economic and social benefits for the cities concerned, providing that their bid is part of a longer-term culture-led development strategy.
Once the relevant Czech authorities formally endorse the panel's recommendation, the cities will have until the summer 2023 to complete their applications. The panel will then meet again in the second half of 2023 to recommend the Czech city to become European Capital of Culture 2028.