KIEV, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, will strive to be named the European Capital of Culture, the press service of Kiev city state administration said in a statement on Monday.
According to the statement, the Capital of Culture crown is an opportunity for Kiev to strengthen a positive image, attract more tourists and develop cultural and creative industries.
"The status of the European cultural capital would have a positive effect not only on the cultural life of the city, but also on its economic development," said Vyacheslav Nepop, the deputy head of Kiev city state administration.
The European Capital of Culture is a city designated by the European Union for a period of one year during which it is given a chance to showcase its cultural life and cultural development.
The Capital of Culture crown, introduced in 1985, has been awarded to more than 50 cities so far.
The Ukrainian capital last year welcomed 1.6 million foreign tourists compared with 1.28 million in 2016. The number of international visitor arrivals to Kiev is expected to top 2 million this year.
