 | Košice becomes European Capital of Culture 2013 10-09-2008 Košice was awarded the title of
European Capital of Culture
2013 on September 9, following a decision by a 13-person international jury
under the leadership of chairman Sir Bob Scott. This will be the very first time
that a Slovakian city has become the European Capital of Culture, and the event
is set to be the largest cultural project in the history of the country, with
not only Košice and its region but also Slovakia as a whole in the limelight.
The European Capital of Culture project helps bring together different
European cultures and create an opportunity for all Europeans to get acquainted
with them, Culture Minister Marek Maďarič said in a speech following the
announcement.
Sir Bob Scott said: "The jury's decision-making was tough. We were still
deciding right up to the last minute between Košice and Prešov, with the
majority tilting eventually in favour of Košice. The commission recommended that
both cities should work together on projects they spoke of in their submitted
projects."
There were nine Slovak cities competing for the title, including Banská
Bystrica, Bratislava, Dolný Kubín (Žilina region), Trenčín, Trnava, Košice,
Prešov, Martin (Žilina region) and Nitra, with the last four making the second
round.
"The number of European visitors to the city is expected to rise in the year
it is Europe's Capital of Culture. The city will be put onto the list of
cultural and travel agencies, boosting local tourism This is how Košice can
reach the level of famous towns and regions that are already well established in
our European hearts and minds," said Košice Mayor František Knapík.
Some recent European Capitals of Culture include Glasgow (Scotland), Antwerp
(Belgium), Thessalonika (Greece), Graz (Austria), Cork (Ireland) and Porto
(Portugal). This year, Liverpool (England) and the Stavanger region (Norway)
share the honour, and Košice will share the honour in 2013 with an as-yet
undisclosed French city or region.
Source: The Slovak Spectator LinksClick here to read the EUROPA press releaseClick here to locate Košice on Google MapsClick here to visit the offical website of the municipality of Košice back |
