Cáceres 2031 has given a very positive assessment of its participation in Heritage Nights, which transformed the city into a major open cultural space on 11 and 12 September. The European Capital of Culture bid played an active role in a programme that recorded 50,329 visits and participations, with 40 activities and the same number of venues open to the public free of charge.

As is well known, in 2031 it will be Spain and Malta's turn to host the European Capital of Culture. While in Malta the outcome is virtually decided — only one city, Victoria-Gozo, made the shortlist, and it is highly unlikely, though technically possible under the rules, that the title won't go to it — in Spain the race remains wide open between four cities: Cáceres, Granada, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Oviedo.

What happens when two island cities decide that being on the margins does not mean being far away? Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Victoria-Għawdex share a geography, challenges and a common determination to turn their island condition into a way of connecting, creating and opening up Europe.

Maltese artists Jason Joe Farrugia and Cynthia Saliba transform the walls of the Castillo de Mata Museum through an artistic residency initiated by the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria 2031 European Capital of Culture candidacy. The initiative is part of REBEL WALLS. Urban Stories, one of the projects developed under ‘Geography Rebellion’.

The Open Call invites artists, professionals, collectives, organisations and cultural institutions to contribute new proposals to the development of the Cáceres 2031 programme