Culture, Democracy and Cities: Reflections from the Eurocities Gothenburg Culture Forum 2026

Photo courtesy of Eurocities

By Lisa Turney, Principal Officer Culture Programmes

The Eurocities Gothenburg Culture Forum 2026 focused on the theme of "Freedom of expression in a new era: How cities can strengthen democratic resilience as agents for art and culture". Bringing together cities from across Europe, the conference explored challenges facing many countries today, including censorship, disinformation and polarisation. A key message throughout the discussions was the important role that cultural institutions can play, not only in supporting creative expression but also as a vital part of democratic infrastructure. These spaces create opportunities for dialogue, challenge misinformation and amplify diverse voices.

Prior to the conference, Gothenburg hosted a session on cultural strategies. The response was striking, with cities from across Europe sharing that they are currently reviewing, renewing or developing their strategies and looking at how culture can be positioned within wider city priorities. The session provided a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas and learn from cities at different stages of this work. A common theme was the growing need to demonstrate cultural impact through stronger evidence, alongside increasing expectations for culture to contribute to economic, social and civic outcomes.

Another important topic was the growing role of artificial intelligence within cultural policy. While many cities are still exploring how best to respond, there was broad agreement that AI should support creativity, improve access and increase efficiency rather than replace human cultural activity. As policy frameworks continue to emerge, we will remain engaged in these conversations and consider how Leeds might develop its own approach to AI and culture.

The forum also provided an excellent opportunity to reconnect with our partner cities, Brno and Lille, strengthening existing relationships. Overall, the visit reinforced the importance of culture as a tool for civic participation, democratic resilience and inclusive place-making. The discussions and connections made in Gothenburg provided valuable insights that will help inform future strategic development in Leeds.