Cultural Capitals in Central and Eastern Europe: Contesting and Constructing European Identity

Abstract This study examines how Central and Eastern European (CEE) cities awarded the European Capital of Culture (ECoC) title construct, negotiate, and contest European identity. Focusing on 17 post-socialist cities, it highlights the role of CEE cultural capitals in shaping a polycentric Europe, challenging Western-centric narratives. Using narrative analysis, the research adopts a tripartite framework encompassing spatial, temporal, and ethical dimensions. The spatial axis addresses geopolitical repositioning, transnational belonging, and multi-layered urban fabrics. The temporal axis explores layered histories, post-socialist transitions, and visions of a shared European future. The ethical axis considers multiculturalism, reconciliation, and civic engagement. Findings reveal that CEE ECoCs perform Europeanness while negotiating post-socialist tensions, illustrating Europe as a dynamic, contested, and plural project. By situating CEE ECoCs at the center of European identity debates, the research offers insights into the cultural, spatial, and ethical processes through which European identity is continuously constructed and contested.