The Nord-Pas de Calais Regional Council has today created the concept of a Regional Capital of Culture, as a biennal event, taking place every two years.

Valenciennes and its surrounding area have everything to be named as the 1st Regional Capital of Culture.
From January to December, the town, its conurbation and the region invites you on an extraordinary journey full of music, dance, theatre, literature, poetry, exhibitions, street arts, etc.In 2007, the only words on everyone's lips in Valenciennes will be : "Create popular culture!"

There will be nearly 70 events, including all the arts, with seven star attractions :

THE "PHARAOH" EXHIBITION
Fine arts Museum in Valenciennes
5 October 2007 to January 2008

Exhibition realised with the exceptional collaboration of the Louvre, with works from the Cairo and Louvre museums, retracing the central role of the Pharaoh in Ancient Egypt.



THE "CADRE NOIR DE SAUMUR"
Prouvy aerodrome
20, 22 and 23 June 2007




Horse riding show by the famous National Associated Riding School for 3 exceptional performances at the ONL.



CONCERT BY THE ONL IN THE PLACE D'ARMES
Valenciennes
28 September 2007




Open air concert by the ONL (Lille National Orchestre).



RIVERS OF LIGHT
Onnaing : 16 June 2007
Valenciennes : 21 December 2007




Concerts of Fireworks, associating the musicians of Art Zoyd, regional musicians and pyrothechnic experts from the company Group F.



THE INTERNATIONAL ADVENTURE FILM FESTIVAL
Valenciennes
13-19 March 2007




Cinematographic festival on the theme of American cinema in the 1970s.



THE "CREATIVE EARTH" EXHIBITION
Fine Arts Museum in Valenciennes
7 april - 1 July 2007

Exhibition of exceptional items from the museums in the Nord-Pas de Calais.



THE "ROMANESQUE TREASURES" EXHIBITION
Representing the Invisible : Treasures of Romanesque Illumination in the North of France

Multimedia library in Valenciennes
15 October - 31 December 2007




The Library of Valenciennes presents for the first time in the region, forty illuminated manuscripts which formal quality and inventiveness bring to light the vitality of the Romanesque Art in the North of France.

With the support of BNP Paribas.


Throughout the year, you will find the programme details and all information on the website : www.capitaleregionaledelaculture.com
and at the Valenciennois Tourist Office : +33 (0)3 27 28 89 10