Main challenges

Declining awareness and engagement with the Cittaslow concept among residents, municipal staff and associations
Lack of educational materials and structured integration of Cittaslow values in schools.
Absence of participatory platforms for citizens to explore and experience Cittaslow in everyday life.

Main goals

Raise awareness and clarify the Cittaslow concept across all sectors.
Integrate Cittaslow principles into cultural education at all levels.
Promote public engagement through creative and inclusive cultural experiences.

Main activities

Developing pedagogical materials as part of the city’s cultural education curriculum.
Launching Cats’ Night of Culture, a festival celebrating local identity and sustainability.
Organizing Slow Labs and creative workshops, hosting citizen forums using co-creative methods to foster dialogue and participation.

Visit: www.kristinestad.fi/start

Activities & Events

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…

Announcement Day: 4 Awarded Cultural Pearls title holders to begin their actions in 2026

After an intense journey that started in February of this year, the selection of the 2026 Cultural Pearls has been announced: Municipalities Glücksburg (GER), Kristinestad-Kristiinankaupunki (FIN), Krosno (POL) and Schleswig (GER) will continue their path toward strengthening social resilience through culture as BSR Cultural Pearls 2026. In total, 11 highly motivated candidates reached the final round, expanding the Cultural Pearls Network across the Baltic Sea Region. Throughout the process, all candidate cities have shown deep commitment to identifying local challenges and exploring how to address them using local resources, culture and creativity. Guided by mentors and experts from the growing…