Posted by: Hidde van Erp Posted on: Monday 22 February 2010, 11:18

Welcome to the Hungarian city of Pécs. Cultural Capital of Europe

About Pécs – facts and historyWe would like to provide you with a brief overview of what it means for us to be the European Capital of Culture next year. We want to share our plans and mission, give a taste of all those values to the world based on which the European Union found Pécs suitable and worthy to be awarded the title for 2010.

Being European Capital of Culture is a great honour and an unmatched opportunity for the city of Pécs as well as its entire region to place its economy and long-term development strategy on a new foundation: culture. The title year should be the starting point and the strengthening force of long-term procedures. Beyond the affluent and diverse scale of cultural events, Pécs is preparing with significant investments which will establish the development of the cultural industry in the entire region.Pécs also wishes to exploit the opportunities of being European Capital of Culture to become and remain integral part of Europe’s artistic and cultural life. Integration and networking is a very important notion of the Pécs2010 ECoC programme. The idea of the Southern Cultural Zone – Pécs’ definition to a new form of cooperation – was born at the time when the Pécs application was conceived. This notion – relying on the natural cultural relations of the multicultural Pécs – marks a zone on the other side of Hungary's southern border that runs from Trieste to Arad and depicts the outlines of a possible cultural region.

International Relations

An actual ECoC Quarter is being formed in the city, as a modern alternative to the historical downtown area. Today, all key investment projects of the Pécs2010 ECoC programme are in the construction phase following thorough preparation procedures. Numerous parks and squares are being refurbished, providing excellent venues for outdoor events in the near future. The Zsolnay Porcelain Factory will be reconstructed completely. Beyond producing beautiful and unique china, the works of this 150 year-old factory also ornament prestigious buildings all over the globe. This is the largest-scale enterprise ever executed on a historic building in Central Europe. The pleasant Museum street and its gardens where fine art exhibitions of famous artists follow one another will also be renewed. The ECoC title will bring two new symbols to the city to be proud of; namely the two green-field investments: the South Transdanubian Regional Library and Knowledge Centre as well as the Pécs Conference and Concert Centre.

Key investment projects

To open the year of 2010, a round-the-clock attraction will be organized January 10th, 2010. The public spaces of Pécs will be home to carnivals and stage productions, various events accompanied by light shows and using interactive projectors at several locations in the city, and huge, spectacular performances. In 2010 the city will await its visitors and the local people with 200 high-quality events in the field of visual arts, literature, film, theatre, dance and science. Every day of the year the city will offer numerous opportunities for recreation and education.

We are most certainly looking forward to seeing you in our city anytime,

Pécs2010 ECoC programme, International Press Relations Office