Online meeting, on 6 November 2026, at 13 h (local time), the members of the International Jury of the European Capital of Christmas 2027, as listed below, validly constituted.

MEMBERS OF THE JURY

 

H.E. Prof. Dr Danuta Hübner

• Minister of European Affairs of Poland (2001-2004)
• European Commissioner for Trade and Regional Policy (2004-2009),
• Member of European Parliament (2009-2024)

H.E. Mr Ínigo 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 Morillo

• Director of the European Commission Representation in Spain (2009-2015)
• Professor of International Public Law University of Valladolid

Ms. Ainhoa García Jabonero

• Member of the Regional Parliament of the Community of Madrid.

H.E. Mr. Alberto Gutiérrez Alberca

• Spanish Senator (2011 – 2018)
• President of Christmas Cities Network

Ms. Mercedes Guillamón

• Head of Production at the Teatro Real in Madrid. Advisor at the Ministry of Culture.

Ms. Nadia Quevedo Muñoz

• Commissioner for Economic Promotion, Commerce, and Restaurants (Spain)
• Representative city awarded European Capital of Christmas 2026 for Barcelona.

Dr. Andreas Rabl

• Mayor of Wels (Austria).
• Representative city awarded European City of Christmas 2026 for Wels.

Mr. Matthew Agius Zammit

• Mayor of Kirkop (Malta).
• Representative city awarded European Village of Christmas 2026 for Kirkop.

 

PRESIDENT

 

Prof. Dr Danuta Hübner acts as President of the International Jury, all in accordance with the provisions of the Rules of the Call for Entries for 2027.
Having heard the reports and the deliberations of rigor, the following decision were adopted:

 

AGREEMENTS

 

It is unanimously agreed by the attendees to accept the proposals presented in the terms established in the Rules of the Call under the terms of confidentiality agreed at the beginning of the call. Applications submitted after the deadline are deemed ineligible.

 

It was agreed by majority to grant the award:

 

• European Capital of Christmas 2027 to Basel (Switzerland).
• European City of Christmas 2027 to Baia Mare (Romania).
• European Village of Christmas 2027 to Omis (Croatia).
• Special mention of the Jury to Fuentes de Oñoro (Spain), for its Spanish-Portuguese Christmas initiative, a unique cross-border event jointly celebrated by Fuentes de Oñoro (Salamanca, Spain) and Vilar Formoso (Portugal).

 

The Jury Expressly congratulates the winning municipalities for the high technical level of the projects presented, their proposals, and the commitment of each city to the profound values of Europe and Christmas.

 

It is agreed to convene the solemn ceremony on 3 December in Barcelona (Spain) in a ceremony to be held at 6 p.m., in the presence of the city authorities, representatives of the International Jury, winners of the last edition and guests in general.

 

The Jury decides to officially begin with the process on the call for the European Capital of Christmas Awards 2028.

 

APPROVAL OF THE STATEMENTS

 

The statement of the meeting having been drawned and read, and having been found to be in agreement by all those present, they were unanimously approved. To all of which I, as President, attest with the signature of all the members of the Jury, in Madrid (Spain), on 6 November 2026.

 

The President of the Jury:
Prof. Dr. Danuta Hübner