Europeanness in Aarhus 2017’s programme of events: Identity constructions and narratives

Abstract

According to EU cultural policy, European Capitals of Culture (ECOCs) should include a ‘European dimension’ that promotes cultural collaborations across EU countries and highlights the diversity and similarity of European cultures. However, the European dimension has been underplayed in ECOC events (Lähdesmäki, 2014b) and has not been particularly visible in official communication about ECOC events (European Commission, 2010). The purpose of this study is to investigate narratives of Europeanness that provide templates for identification in the official programme of events for Aarhus 2017, using a qualitative discourse analytical approach and computational tools. The findings reveal that ‘Europe’ is linked to other spatial/geopolitical levels, and that narratives of Europeanness draw on discourses of categorical identity and relational identity. The various representations of Europeanness in Aarhus 2017’s programme of events are discussed with respect to existing empirical studies and theories of European identity, as well as the evolving aims of ECOC.