The Cycladic isle of Syros hopes to be the Cultural Capital of Europe in 2021. The municipality’s culture committee is doing all it can to promote the island as a cultural capital and there’s even a Facebook group called “I want Syros to be a candidate city for the European Capital of Culture 2021” with almost 4,000 friends.

Charis Vekris, the creator of the group, believes that “the fact that our city (island) is small compared to the other Greek cities that have been European Capitals of Culture in the past does not mean that it is not worth trying.” He points to examples of Paphos (on Cyprus) being awarded the European Capital of Culture title for 2017, even though it is smaller than Nicosia and Limassol. The same happened in the Netherlands, where Leeuwarden won the title for 2012.

FORUM 20.21 was started to mobilize the local Syros community to take action and promote the isle, which mainly lies off the “beaten path” for holiday-makers headed to the Cyclades islands.