2026 Cultural Pearls have started their Culture for Resilience Journey
On January 20, the 2026 Cultural Pearls title year was officially inaugurated in an online kick-off event. Since the announcement and celebration of their awarding in November and after months of preparation work, awardees Glücksburg(GER), Kristinestad-Kristiinankaupunki (FIN), Krosno (POL) and Schleswig (GER) are eager to put their Culture and Resilience Action Plans (CuReAPs) into practice. These roadmaps for the title year recognize the potential of cultural initiatives, bringing people together, involving citizens and developing a deeper sense of belonging and togetherness in the process.
The four title holders of 2026 were selected from a cohort of 11 highly motivated candidates by a diverse international jury of experts in social resilience, urban planning, arts, and culture, as well as representatives from pan-Baltic and European organisations and networks.
The CuReAPs vary in theme as local challenges differ: Schleswig wants to fill vacant urban spaces with life and address social fragmentation; Kristinestad / Kristiinankaupunki aims to embed the Cittaslow concept more in everyday life, Krosno will address the demographic changes and social integration endorsing participation in public life, Glücksburg has seasonal tourism influencing city life widely and a cultural scene with the potential to grow more connected. As diverse as the challenges are the opportunities culture offers as a connective force for engaging people and building resilient communities: Thematic city walks, integrative neighbourhood picnics, street festivals, labs and creative workshops, bar camps, digital tools and more.
On their journey, as in their preparation phase, the Cultural Pearls have the support of the Cultural Pearls Network: Each of them have a National Contact Point to approach, the partner organisations and experts involved that built and fostered the methodology, tools and peer network over the last three years, a secretariat for support in organisational questions and communication efforts and of course the group of Pearls that came before them which have established a self-organised exchange platform for themselves within the network.
Moreover, the kick-off event was only the first in a line of multiple online events throughout the year, including peer-learning across Pearl cities from previous years, expert interventions and further networking opportunities. This ‘Network Session Series’ provides insights on the following topics:
- Good practices showcasing how culture makes communities stronger
- Cross-departmental cooperation and administration
- The CuReAPs put into practice
- Participatory methods fostering community engagement
- Collaboration between the Cultural and Creative Sectors (CCS) and municipalities
And one more event is being added to the programme: Save the Date for February 11, when the research-based evaluation findings from KEA European Affairs showcase the added value of three years of the BSR Cultural Pearls initiative. Explore their report beforehand here. Registration details will be shared soon. Join us!
The Cultural Pearls Network wishes the 2026 Cultural Pearls an enlightening journey through their title year and looks forward to seeing their actions but into practice building resilience through culture.
Photos by Ewa Strozniak, Council of the Baltic Sea States
