Chernets M. Capital of Culture in the Context of Nation Brand Development (based on European experience)

The thesis is devoted to the investigation of capital of culture, a city which plays a crucial role in the nation brand forming withing the country and in the world cultural space. The work reveals the basic theoretical aspects of the study, analyzes the dynamics of development of the initiative "European capital of culture" as the most well known and influential event, involved in the process of cultural development of the European Union. the research argues that the design of the image of Ukrainian cities by means of cultural branding will contribute to the formation of the national brand of Ukraine as a modern European state. This will help to strengthen its international authority, popularize national cultural uniqueness, enhance the tourist and investment attractiveness of the coutry. Detailed elaboration of all these areas of national and cultural branding, the transformation of certain Ukrainian cities into "capitals of culture" may become a possible subject of further interdisciplinary and cultural studies.