In 2001 along with Porto, Rotterdam was voted European capital of Culture. This incredibly diverse city offers cultural stimulation for every age group and taste. Rotterdam has its own Orchestra, The Rotterdam Philarmonic led by Valery Gergiev and is also the home of the Rotterdam Academy of Fine Arts.

Valery Gergiev

An enourmous amount of cultural music events and festivals are held in Rotterdam each year from Jazz to Dance and Pop making the city arguably the capital of music within the Netherlands.
A strong University presence and hard work ethic make Rotterdam a city that is both open to Cultural growth and yet very much in touch with modern cultural trends.