Challenges and perspectives in the 2013 Marseille-Provence project

Marseille has suffered from a poor image, lost its economic attractiveness, seen a decrease in tourism, encountered recurring structural and social problems, and has adopted a fatalistic approach when faced with failure. The clichés about Marseille are as numerous as they are unflattering, especially from a Parisian’s point of view. Promoting this city as a ‘European Capital of Culture’ was therefore a challenge. It was nonetheless the challenge laid down by Europe and taken up by the economic and political community not only in the city of Marseille, but throughout the region, notwithstanding rivalries and age-old divisions. The inhabitants were united in a group project, and wanted to make the 2013 Marseille-Provence Project an international event capable of restoring the image of the Mediterranean city and promoting it across the region. When 2013 came to an end, it was obvious that the Project’s success had exceeded all expectations. It is now important to sustain the momentum which was created this year as a result of being a European Capital of Culture.