Las Palmas – the capital of Gran Canaria and administrative hub of the eastern Canaries of which Lanzarote is a part – is being proposed as a candidate for the European City of Culture in 2016.  In a move designed to shift perceptions of the island as a tourist destination.

The Canarian candidate will be competing against a whole host of other European cities, including numerous Spanish conurbations.  And the status of European Capital of Culture will ultimately be judged and awarded by the European Union.  Who first implemented the scheme back in 1985 with the intention of highlighting the richness, diversity and shared characteristics of European cultures and to promote greater mutual acquaintance between European citizens.

The candidacy bid is already well underway and you can get involved by visiting the official Las Palmas 2016 website.