Finland: Turku Turns to Culture | European Journal
  • 13 years ago
Turku is one of the 2011 European Capitals of Culture. The city is hoping the title will create new opportunities; shipbuilding was once Turku's main source of income - now, the industry is in decline.More than 8,000 jobs are directly dependent on the shipbuilding industry in Turku. But big orders have dried up. With that in mind, some residents feel that this city of 175,000 – where unemployment is at 10 percent - has more pressing concerns than profiling itself as one of Europe's Culture Capitals. But others take a different view; they’re hoping to attract new creative talent to Turku in a bid to relaunch the city as a cultural hub.