Festivities timed to the beginning of the year, during which this city will be the cultural capital of Europe took place in Liverpool. The celebrations in the center of Liverpool began with the performance of ex-Beatles Ringo Starr and the member of Eurythmics duo Dave Stewart.

During the evening about 600 performing artists appeared on the stage. About 30 thousand people gathered to listen to the concert. The concert became the first one from the multitude of events, via which Liverpool will celebrate its new status. During the weekend more than 1300 artists performed in the city.

During the year about 350 concerts and exhibitions will be held in Liverpool, local authorities hope that they will attract about 2 million tourists from all over the world to Liverpool.

In June Paul McCartney, who is foretasting the concert in his hometown, will perform in Liverpool. "This will be a magnificent year. I am very proud of my town and I'm looking forward to meet you there and to help you have a good time," McCartney said.

In the year 2003, when Liverpool was claimed to be the next cultural capital, many were surprised. British towns Gateshead and Newcastle were considered to be favorites than, not the seaport town Liverpool. However, Liverpool, waging an advertising campaign wit the motto "The whole world in one town", has won the honorary degree.

Cities, putting in for the rank of European cultural capital are defined in accordance with the list, ascertaining in which year each of EU countries can propose its towns to participate in the contest.

The cultural capital is established by the special commission consisting of 13 members. Seven of them are proposed by the EU and the remaining six - by the country, the town of which is struggling for the rank of the cultural capital.

Beginning from the year 2007, the winning city receives a grant in an amount of at least 1.5 million Euros.

The rank of the cultural capital of Europe usually attracts 12% more tourists. However, the citizens of the cities which already were the temporary cultural capitals of Europe say that the benefit from this rank is not only in the touristic industry incomes.

"This completely changes the international imagery of the town," says the manager of Culture and Sport Glasgow company, Charles Bell. Glasgow, which was the cultural capital of Europe 18 years ago, is now considered to be one of the most successful examples of the towns, participated in the program.

Liverpool is actually a popular destination even without the title of the cultural capital. It even got into the list of the most popular routes of 2008 - a kind of ToDo for the tourists.