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The city of Stavanger in Norway has been chosen by the EU Council as one of the Cities of Culture in 2008. Stavanger is sharing this honor with Liverpool.

As a City of Culture, Stavangar is given a chance to showcase it's cultural life and development.
Over 150 different arrangements will be held in the region in 2008. Among these are a Greek drama to put the concept of a European cultural heritage in perspective, This will involve the entire community, from the theatre and symphony orchestra to amateur choirs and bands. A cast of extras numbering in the thousands, with the inhabitants of the Stavanger region representing the populace involved in the drama is envisaged.

Eventhough Norway is not an EU member, thanks to changes in the new rules and a proposed "daring program", Stravangar was chosen as one of EU's City of Culture.

Athens was chosen as the first European City of Culture in 1985. Last year's was Patras and next year's are Linz and Vilnius.