From Norway to Austria: these highlights await you in Europe’s cultural capitals in 2024

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Bodø barely made it: the city of 52,000 is located almost 80 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle. This means that on the darkest day in winter the sun is less than an hour above the horizon, making the area an ideal destination for viewing the Northern Lights. On the other hand, in June the sun travels across the sky 24 hours a day; A time full of energy, extensive celebrations and outdoor activities in the milky light of the night: hiking, canoeing, swimming.

Bodø was badly damaged in the Second World War, so the city presents itself as more Scandinavian and pragmatic; You won’t find a cozy old town here. Yet Bodø has one of the strongest growth rates in Norway. Despite its northern location, the quality of life is excellent. The broad cultural offering, which reached its peak this year with museums, events and festivals, also contributes to this. As part of the 2024 European Capital of Culture candidacy, 1000 cultural events will be organized in Bodø and its surroundings.

Events are structured thematically according to the four seasons and their characteristics in the Arctic Circle: the awakening of spring, the midnight sun, the storms of autumn and the aurora of winter. The focus of the program is the culture of the Sami, the indigenous population of Northern Scandinavia, with theatrical performances, visual arts, storytelling and a specially designed museum. The most unusual event is “The Cave,” an underwater saxophone concert for which the audience must be qualified divers.

Fly: Near Bodø is the Saltstraumen, the strongest tidal current in the world. A journey through the whirlpools on the Zodiac, a powerful inflatable boat, is an adventure.

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be there: You can reach Bodø by plane (transfer from Oslo), by train from Trondheim or by mailboat from the city of Bergen, offered by shipping companies Hurtigruten and Havila.
information: www.bodo2024.no

Have you ever heard of the city of Tartu? Most likely not, because Estonia’s second largest city is an even more insider tip of northeastern Europe. But during the Cold War, Tartu was seen as an important target in Western defense: Just outside the city, the Russians were storing nuclear weapons that would soon reach the rest of Europe. Nuclear warheads are now gone and the Estonian National Museum has been built on the site of the military airport (well worth a visit!) – a beautiful symbol of a more peaceful world.

And it has long been known in Tartu that a better, more forgiving world requires not only diplomacy, but also kissing: the city’s landmark is the statue “Kissing Students” on Town Hall Square, the center of the old city. These students (about one-fifth of the 100,000 population) also keep nightlife and culture sparkling and pulsating in various aspects. When you visit you should definitely party the night away. So what else is included in the visit? A stroll through the pretty old town and a quick visit to the area with the funny name “Soup District”. In places where the poor population once lived, historical wooden houses have been preserved; Just like street names are given according to vegetable types, the name “Çorba Mahallesi” comes from here.

During the Capital of Culture year, 350 projects with a total of 1000 events will be implemented in Tartu and Southern Estonia. The theme of the year is “The Art of Survival”. All conceivable art forms and disciplines must address the skills, knowledge and values ​​with which people can shape a better future. And of course, kissing should not be missed: There will be a lot of kissing while listening to Eurovision songs at the “Kissing Tartu” event.

Fly: Anyone visiting Tartu should plan a few days in the charming Estonian capital Tallinn, one of the most beautiful in northeastern Europe.

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be there: Direct flight from Zurich to Tallinn. We continue towards Tartu by bus or train.
information: www.tartu2024.ee

The third cultural “capital” consists of the 23 municipalities of the Salzkammergut in Austria. Spanning parts of what are now the federal states of Upper Austria, Salzburg and Styria, the historic region is a true embodiment of alpine delights of all kinds. The spectrum extends from gently undulating low mountain ranges to the Hoher Dachstein with an altitude of around 3000 metres. Tourism also focuses on outdoor experiences, from easy hikes to mountain climbing tours and paragliding. Thanks to its numerous lakes, the Salzkammergut is also a popular summer destination for swimming and sunbathing.

Although the region is one of Austria’s lesser-known parts, one place has made its way onto international (especially Asian) travellers’ bucket lists: the 700-strong village of Hallstatt is considered one of the most beautiful villages in Austria and attracts several hundred thousand visitors each year.

Hallstatt is also on the UNESCO World Heritage List; Thanks to its salt deposits (hence the name of the Salzkammergut region), a sophisticated Iron Age culture developed here and its ruins can still be found today. Salt brought wealth to the region and also ensured exchange with other cultures. This gave rise to vibrant traditions that are still passionately preserved today.

The Capital of Culture program combines these traditions with modern impulses. This year, hundreds of events in the fields of visual arts, performing arts, photography and culinary arts will be held in all 23 communities under four thematic areas. “Power and Tradition” focuses on the history and traditions of the region, “Culture in Flow” examines shifts in cultural identities, “Sharing the Salzkammergut” examines the impact of tourism on the region, and “Global” highlights the problems of rural areas as a place for future generations to live.

Fly: Anyone already in the area should plan a day or two in Salzburg. The Baroque city is a feast for the eyes where you can visit and shop. And of course you should visit Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The musical genius spent his youth in the city.

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Getting there: From Switzerland by train directly to Salzburg. From there continue by regional public transport
Information: www.salzkammergut-2024.at

Source : Blick