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Articles / Celebrate Youth Festivities in Turin:

Celebrate Youth Festivities in Turin

In a cultural way, 2010 has been quite a kick-off if you ask Italian youngsters. After the European Capital of Culture (which exists since 1983) a new yearly festivity has found it’s way to charm European young culture freaks: the European Youth Capital. Born last year in Rotterdam (Netherlands), this event, especially designed for youngsters, promises a line-up of festivities in European cities over the years to come. This year, discover what Turin has to offer. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6G03ismKxOg

What is the European Youth Capital?
The ‘European Youth Capital’ is a title designated to a European city for a period of one year, during which it will be given the chance to showcase its youth-related cultural, social, political and economic life and development. The ‘European Youth Capital’ (EYC) initiative encourages the implementation of new ideas and innovative projects with regards to the active participation of young people in society. In other words, participation is key ! Each year a city gets the chance to portray a role model for the further development of other European municipalities.

This year’s Capital: Turin
Chosen amongst 15 other candidate cities, Turin took over Rotterdam’s title of European Youth Capital 2010. This title was launched by the European Youth Forum (YFJ) to foster the co-operation on youth policies at local and European level.

Turin’s’ slogan for the European Youth Capital 2010 is ‘Pyou Life’. It stands for ‘Piemonte (the north-Italian region of Piedmont) and You’ or ‘Piemonte and Youth’. The title has a double meaning, since it can also be read as ‘Più’, the Italian word for ‘More’. During 2010 Turin will offer a hectic program of events and activities giving more opportunities to young people for active participation and contribution to their communities.

The Turin Youth Agenda
There will be loads of activities throughout the year. We give you a glimpse of some of the events yet to come; concerts, workshops debates and expositions.

• Febuary 7-14: Turin will host the "Erasmian European Youth Parliament". In 2002, 259 young people from around 30 different EU-countries already participated. This year, around 200 students of senior high schools will have the possibility to work on realistic solutions to different youth thematics, working in a similar manner to that of the European Parliament. The students will work in teams and present their projects during a conclusive public meeting, where themes are debated and compared. The projects will be voted and delivered to the policy-makers.

• March 17 & April 10: Turin hosts a series of thematic meetings (presentations, debates, informal discussions) with successful and/or famous young Europeans. A space for informal discussion and to discover the experiences of the VIP guests during an appetizer.
In March sustainable work opportunities in the field of music and performing arts will be discussed.
The April theme: how to live and survive in European Cinema and TV.

• May 7-9: About 10 workshops and meetings will take place between students and professionals of the world of performing arts during The Performing Art festival. Performance art, visual art and expositions will light up the city of Turin. You can either participate or just take a look around.

• June 20: The Music Festival involves more than a thousand European musicians every year. The guest musicians perform for free in all of Turn’s outside public spaces: the roads, the plazas, the gardens. An event music lovers cannot miss, whether musicology or conservatory student, or just a listener. The festivities continue the next day; on June 21 concerts are anticipated in both the pedestrian zone of street Lagrange and some subway stations.

Of course, many other events will take place throughout the year, you can visit the site: http://yourtime2010.com/calenda for more information.

Call for the European Youth Capital 2012
Would you like your city to become European Youth Capital ? After Rotterdam in 2009 and Turin in 2010, Antwerp has been chosen to show us it’s festivities in 2011. The European Youth Forum (YFJ) is currently launching a call for the fourth European Youth Capital in 2012. More info : http://www.youthforum.org/en/node/1436

Why should you apply?
Without doubt, there are a number of benefits for municipalities that consider applying for
selection as a European Youth Capital. The European-wide public recognition is fostered by
media and press coverage, which will also increase the reputation and popularity of the city
in, for example, the tourist dimension. The regional impact will be visible in many respects as
the EYC serves as a framework for new projects and ideas and stimulates stronger and more
active cultural life throughout the municipality and its neighbouring areas. Last but not least,
becoming EYC means that acquiring additional public funding and new financial donors is
made easier, in light of the motivating and encouraging project framework offered by the
EYC.

How to apply?
Anyone can suggest that a town or city runs to become an EYC. However, it is the local
authority in question that has to submit the application, including a draft programme for the
proposed EYC period, a written proof of the town or city’s interest in running for the EYC and
a statement of support by an independent local or regional youth structure.
The applicant municipality will have to submit an application describing the goals and ambitions of the EYC time period, the foreseen budget and the methods
through which young people will be included.

You can find the brochure here : http://www.youthforum.org/fr/system/files/yfj_public/courier/2009october/0783-09_Call_EYC%202012_final.doc
For more information, please visit www.youthforum.org