KOŠICE AS THE FIRST AND ONLY CITY TO PRESENT ITS CANDIDACY FOR EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE IN ALLIANCE WITH LYON

French city of Lyon shares the candidacy for the prestigious European Capital of Culture 2013 title, which will be awarded to one Slovak and one French city this year.

Common presentation of candidacy and partnership between Košice and Lyon, which both joined their national contests for the ECC title, is one-of-a-kind amongst the candidate cities.

“The cities will briefly present their candidacies, then continue with the existing collaboration and vision of their common efforts,” declared Marek Kolárčik, project team manager of Košice’s candidacy for the ECC 2013, on the course of the presentation in Brussels.

Mr. Mayor František Knapík, ECC 2013 project manager Mr. Marek Kolárčik, and project dramaturg, Mr.Roman Sorger, will represent Košice. Mr. Mayor Gérard Collomb, and Deputy Mayor for Culture Ms.Patrice Beghain will head Lyon project team.

The presentation will take place under the auspices of the Vice-Chair of the European Parliament, Ms. Martine Roure, and the Ambassador of the SR to the European Union, Mr. Maroš Šefčovič.

Why was there an alliance between Košice and Lyon?

The cities share several common characteristics, which are excellent prerequisites for collaboration. Košice, as well as Lyon, is the second largest city in the country; it is traditionally a university and industrial centre, as well as historic military town, with rich history.

“Exchange of information, experience and consultancy went on throughout the year. We organized mutual visits and we signed the Memorandum on collaboration. We will be conducting several joint projects as early as next year. We have prepared big projects for the magical year of 2013,” added Ms. Vachnová.

Presentation on partnership and collaboration between the cities of Košice and Lyon will take place at the announcement of the official candidacy for the ECC 2013 at the representative office of the French region Rhône-Alpes in Brussels on November 2O, 2007 at 18:30

Information:

Marek Kolárčik, project team manager of Košice ‘s candidacy for the ECC 2013,
Alena Vachnová, project team member of Košice ‘s candidacy for the ECC 2013,
Roman Sorger, project dramaturg of Košice ‘s candidacy for the ECC 2013,
Tel.:+421 55 68 54 299, +421 55 69 64 279; E-mail: ehmk@kosice.sk
www.kosice13.sk