Manifesta, the European Biennial of Contemporary Art, was initiated, and is supported, by the International Foundation Manifesta (IFM), with offices in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The IFM aims to create opportunities for artists to present their work in a non-competitive environment and to facilitate the emergence of new ideas and forms of artistic expression. Manifesta explores the entire mental and geographical territory of Europe and aims to establish a close dialogue between specific cultural and artistic situations and the broader, international context of contemporary art, theory and politics in a changing society. To this end, Manifesta has opted for a nomadic existence, relocating its operational base to a different city or region of Europe every two years (1996 Rotterdam, 1998 Luxembourg, 2000 Ljubljana, 2002 Frankfurt am Main, 2004 Donostia-San Sebastian). Thus, it embodies the notion of a constantly expanding network, based on the transfer of 'know how', as a product of work in progress. The concept of Manifesta is re-examined, each time that the biennial moves on to a new city or region. As an outward expression of this process of renewal, the Board of the IFM and its new partners appoint a fresh tem of curators from different parts of Europe, at the start of each new biennium.

Donostia-San Sebastian was selected by IFM in spring 2002 as the fifth Host City for Manifesta 5, on account of its dynamic historical and socio-political background, as well as its trans-regional importance. The city has developed an increasingly vibrant cultural identity through daring initiatives on the part of its independent artists, galleries and institutions. At the same time, the local art scene has shown a strong commitment to the International Foundation Manifesta, as co-producers and organisers of the fifth edition of the Manifesta biennial.

Donostia-San Sebastian's growing cultural and institutional infrastructure at every level was decisive, in its selection as Host City for Manifesta. One of the city's objectives, over the next few years, is to offer increased support to the visual and interpretative arts, with the aim of aligning them to its existing, strong support for music (especially, jazz) and the well known International Film Festival. Donostia-San Sebastian belongs to a region with a strong sense of identity and determination to develop coherent cultural policies, as an alternative to social alienation.

The IFM, for its part, was impressed with the great vitality of the region that includes cities such as Bilbao and the Basque capital, Vitoria-Gasteiz. Donostia-San Sebastian's geographical position in Southern Europe made it a perfect location for Manifesta 5. The IFM's long-term strategic aim is to achieve a stronger sense of a North-South equilibrium in all aspects of its activities, including the location of successive editions of the biennial and the geographical distribution of Board members, curatorial teams and artists.

Development and implementation of the Manifesta 5 programme and exhibition have been taken care of by the management team consisting of Lourdes Fernández and José Miguel Ayerza. Manifesta 5 has been curated by Marta Kuzma and Massimiliano Gioni. The CICC, International Centre of Contemporary Culture, consisting of the Basque Government, the Terrotorial Council of Gipuzkoa and Donostia-San Sebastián City Council, has been responsible for organising and funding Manifesta 5. The CICC, a multidisciplinary project for artistic and creative creation, will be located in Donostia-San Sebastián's former tobacco factory. ARTELEKU, centre devoted to explore art and contemporary culture has been the Biennial's production centre.