In Madrid, on December 6, 2023, meeting at 12:00 a.m., the members of the International Jury named below, who are validly constituted as the International Jury of the European Capital of Christmas of 2024 awards.

ASSISTANTS

Prof. Dr. Danuta Hübner (Poland)
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland (2001-2004)
European Commissioner for Trade and Regions (2004-2009)

H.E. Mr Iñigo Méndez de Vigo
Minister of Education, Culture and Sport of the Government of Spain (2015-2018)
Member of the European Parliament (1992-2011)

H.E. Mr Francisco Fonseca Murillo
Director of the European Commission Representation in Spain (2009-2015)
Professor of International Public Law University of Valladolid

Ms. Marisol Garmendia
Councillor of the Donostia City Council

Ms. Ainhoa García Jabonero
Member of the Regional Parliament of the Community of Madrid

Massimo Ruggero
Marketing Management Genoa

Alberto Gutiérrez Alberca
Senator in the Spanish Parliament (2011-2019)
Councillor for Traffic and Mobility in Valladolid
President of the Christmas Cities Network Association

Mercedes Guillamón
Cultural Manager and Actres

PRESIDENT

Prof. Dr. Danuta Hübner acts as chairman of the International Jury in accordance with the terms of the Call for Papers for 2024.

Having heard the reports and the necessary deliberations, the following decision was unanimously taken

AGREEMENT

Unanimously award the title of:

• EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CHRISTMAS 2024 to the city of BRNO (Czech Republic)
• EUROPEAN CITY OF CHRISTMAS 2024 to the city WATERFORD (Ireland)
• SPECIAL MENTION to the municipality of Almanza as the municipality with the smallest population (Spain).

In accordance with the following

CRITERIA

FIRST. The city of Waterford is an extraordinary jewel of Christmas harmony and aesthetics and represents very representative values such as solidarity, which lies with the local communities as well as a strong commitment to its own heritage as a hallmark of identity, material and above all immaterial and cultural.

Waterford represents the ultimate expression of creative culture thanks to the great work done with its illuminations and markets. Just as the streets become the perfect setting where associations, tourists and neighbours come together in a Christmas experience with its own identity. A coherent and attractive proposal.

SECOND. The city of Brno represents a creative Christmas jewel, through which the city itself conveys its tourist and Christmas appeal with important social and micro-macroeconomic repercussions on the city’s urban fabric.

The most representative values are undoubtedly solidarity and the strong commitment to its own heritage as a sign of global identity, which is one of the aspects also highlighted by UNESCO, so that the city of Brno is identified as the ultimate expression of creative culture and strong identity, as well as, with its illuminations and flea markets, the most atmospheric Christmas scene.

THIRD. It was agreed to expressly congratulate, as well as to make a special mention to the municipality of Almanza (León) for the great work developed in the municipality, with a very attractive Christmas candidature as well as the presentation of a high level Christmas proposal.

FOURTH. The Jury approves the creation of a new award category for 2025 aimed at smaller municipalities.

FIFTH. The Jury unanimously requests that these minutes reflect the great quality and variety of the proposals received, valuing this year as the one with the highest number of applications received and with a high level of quality and professionalism. For this reason, the International Jury would like to reflect in these minutes its gratitude for the participation and the effort made.

SIXTH. The Jury agrees in its last point to declare the competition EUROPEAN CAPITAL AND CITY OF CHRISTMAS 2025 as called for

Having drafted and read the Minutes of the meeting and found them to be in agreement with all those present, approved unanimously, I, as President of the International Jury, attest to the above in Madrid on 6 December 2023.