New Year 2013 brings two new European Capitals of Culture. Marseille-Provence in France and Košice in Slovakia. The opening celebrations take place in each city in mid-January when the year's programme is launched.

In Marseille the MP2013 Year is launched on 12-13 January. See what's on in the full programme.

In Košice the European Capital of Culture Year is launched on 19-20 January with an invitation to Planet Košice

Each year, cities chosen as European Capitals of Culture provide living proof of the richness and diversity of European cultures. Started in 1985, the initiative has become one of the most prestigious and high-profile cultural events in Europe. More than 40 cities have been designated European Capitals of Culture so far, from Stockholm to Genoa, Athens to Glasgow, and Cracow to Porto.