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Long-overdue recognition for a previously unsung destination that has become Europe's cultural capital
By Mark Honan
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City Hall
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Culture comes in many forms. A place that combines most of these is Graz, the provincial capital of Styria (Steiermark).
Since Graz was featured in the March 2002 edition of Gemütlichkeit it has enjoyed a place in the spotlight as the 2003 Cultural Capital of Europe. This accolade has seen a slew of prestigious events crowding into the city's already busy cultural calendar. For details of these, visit the tourist office website www.graztourismus.at.
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The designation, first granted in 1985 (to Athens), focuses on culture at a local, regional, national and international level. The international recognition this title confers has heralded a €57 million investment into the city's infrastructure and it's events program.
Returning visitors to Graz will see major changes, not least in the rebuilt railway station and in the refurbished Hauptplatz. A floating amphitheater, cafe, and childrens playground has been opened on the River Mur. A futuristic new Kunsthaus is being built, as are a childrens museum and a house of literature. The Helmut List concert hall opened it's doors early this year and the Stadthalle events center was finished in 2002.
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