Mons - Cultural capital of Wallonia, Belgium
In the South-West of Belgium, Mons, capital of the province of Hainaut and cultural capital of Wallonia, is an administrative and judicial district covering an area of 584 km2. Close to Brussels South Charleroi Airport and 1 hour from Brussels Airport, Mons is situated at a geographical crossroads in Europe between Amsterdam and Paris on the one hand and Cologne and London on the other. European Capital of Culture in 2015, Mons is the 3rd largest city in Wallonia and the 6th largest commercial centre in Belgium. It has a population of almost 100,000 and welcomed 2,200,000 visitors in 2015.
A city of art and history, Mons is enjoying a revival thanks to the European Funds and a multi-polar development strategy that has enabled it to achieve a complete urban, cultural and economic transformation. The city is being transformed thanks to a proactive architectural policy that skilfully blends the heritage of the past with a vision for the future. It's an idea that's come to life in l'Art habite la Ville, an urban art trail through the heart of Mons, featuring over 80 works by some of the world's finest artists. Culturally, the city is also a force to be reckoned with, thanks to its masterpieces listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites and its international exhibitions, such as those recently devoted to Joan Miró and Jaume Plensa. On the economic front, Mons is continuing its transformation and has implemented a vast plan to redeploy the commercial fabric of its city centre, which is bearing fruit, with footfall on its pedestrian precinct rising over the last 3 years. The city is also preparing to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the creation of Grands Prés, a vast shopping centre just a stone's throw from the city centre, and Parc Initialis, a major economic zone that is home to many cutting-edge technology companies such as Microsoft, Google and Multitel, an inter-university research and innovation centre.
Mons is also a young city, with almost 22% of the population under the age of 20, thanks to the presence of 70 educational establishments from nursery to higher education, including 2 world-renowned universities, particularly in the scientific and economic fields (UMons and UCLMons).
Throughout the year, the city offers a rich and varied cultural programme. Visitors open the doors of exceptional sites and museums such as the Musée des Beaux-Arts, the Collégiale Sainte-Waudru, the MUMONS, the Mons Memorial Museum, the Belfry, the Mundaneum and the Musée du Doudou, some of the most popular. They will also discover shows and concerts by MARS, a top-flight cultural centre, the Théâtre Royal de Mons and the Orchestre Royal de Chambre de Wallonie.
As a direct legacy of Mons 2015, Mons is hosting a Biennial of Art and Culture, a participatory and civic-minded event devoted entirely to local and international artistic creation.
Mons organises major events such as the Doudou - a fight between Saint-Georges and a Dragon - recognised as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, Mons en Lumières, Destination Mons, the Fêtes de Wallonie, the Autumn Fair and Mons Cœur en Neige. All these events are significant levers for improving the image, attractiveness and national and international influence of Mons and its region. They help stimulate the local economy and support the cultural and creative industries sector.
Finally, with its Congress Centre and monumental Santiago Calatrava railway station, Mons provides a link between the historic centre and the new city of Grands Prés, which is undergoing constant economic development.
Partners
We are delighted to present the partners of the 10th European Summit of Regions and Cities who supported the organisation of this event.
Many of them welcomed you at their stand within the Festival of Regions and Cities. Located in the central area of the LOTTO Mons Expo, at the heart of the Summit of Regions and Cities, the Festival was the place to meet local and regional authorities, EU institutions and their projects, NGOs and associations, to exchange ideas and draw inspiration.
