Mons, a city of heritage and creation, is a cultural capital of Wallonia. The urban area of Mons has 250 000 inhabitants. As far as culture is concerned, the city of the Doudou has great ambition and many projects. That is why the town has been chosen as the European Capital of Culture for 2015.

Of course, this recognition provides a great opportunity to reinforce Mons’ economic and cultural appeal.

Mons 2015's theme, "Where technology meets culture," will be a bridge between the city’s past cultural heritage and its future development in the field of digital arts, in which the town is a world leader.

This dynamic will be reinforced by the many infrastructure and development projects planned for 2015, such as the future Mons train station, designed by the architect Santiago Calatrava (who also designed the new Ground Zero station in New York); a future design centre, a convention centre, an art library, and a new-music centre, as well as extensive renovations of the Old Mons streets and facades.

Mons 2015 will provide the opportunity to rediscover the great figures who marked the city’s history, such as Vincent Van Gogh, Roland De Lassus, Verlaine and St. George.