ROTTERDAM, 03/01/01 - The European cultural year in Rotterdam started on New Year's Day when a sort of Olympic torch was lit in front of the door of the Laurenskerk church building. Rotterdam is joint Cultural Capital of Europe in 2001 with the city of Porto in Portugal.

On Monday, Mayor I. Opstelten opened the first event held by Rotterdam as cultural capital city. The Laurenskerk was the location for Eurodak, an event for the homeless that is actually held each year.

The official opening of the cultural year is on 26 January, and will be attended by Queen Beatrix. Mayor Opstelten took it for granted that Rotterdam would become renowned as a cultural city, both within and outside the national borders. Rotterdam 2001 has a total of more than 330 program items on the agenda.