Speaking to Lusa, Ricardo Rio added that the CPC program should be formatted in the coming months, containing “some of the ideas” that were part of the candidacy for European Capital of Culture (CEC) in 2027.

“The CPC will be based on our Cultural Strategy 2030, but, naturally, some of the ideas of our candidacy for CEC will also be implemented”, he said.

The Government announced the creation, from 2024, of the Portuguese Capital of Culture, which in the first three years will be attributed to the three finalist cities won in the candidacy for ECOC in 2027.

Thus, Aveiro will be CPC in 2024, Braga in 2025 and Ponta Delgada in 2026, by agreement already sealed between the three municipalities.

Each CPC will receive support of two million euros from the Government.

“We will also try to mobilize other financial resources, from patronage to community funds, for our Capital”, said the mayor of Braga.

The Portuguese city chosen for CEC in 2027 was Évora.

On the 7th, when the choice of Évora as CEC 2027 was announced, the Minister of Culture, Pedro Adão e Silva, announced that Portugal will have, from 2024, an annual Portuguese Capital of Culture, with Aveiro, Braga and Ponta Delgada already chosen.

This decision is, according to Pedro Adão e Silva, "a well-deserved recognition of the work done, but also a bet on the future".

"In 2027 we will not have a Portuguese Capital of Culture, because there will be a European Capital of Culture in Portugal, but in 2028, with an open competition, there will be a fifth city".