ROTTERDAM, 19/12/00 - On 1 January, Rotterdam will set out being Cultural Capital of Europe 2001 with a large party for the homeless, in the Laurens Church. The 'Eurodak' will be the first of 333 cultural events, presented yesterday.

Rotterdam will share its cultural status with the Portuguese city of Porto. The organization works with a budget of 51 million guilders and is counting on 175 million guilders to go around in the event next year. Three million visitors are expected.

The official opening of the cultural year will take place on 26 January, probably attended by Queen Beatrix. The first signs of the upcoming events have already begun to appear in Rotterdam. As part of the Going Dutch project, artworks are being projected on the facades of a number of buildings in the city. More projects are to follow soon.