Press report

September 9, 2008

Bratislava – Košice has become the European Capital of Culture 2013 (ECC). Such was the verdict of a 13-member international jury chaired by Bob Scott at the Slovak Ministry of Culture. Košice’s Interface project unfolds long-term transformation of the city through cultural channels and seeks to create stimulating environment for culture and creativity.

The foursome of Slovak candidate cities, Košice, Martin, Nitra and Prešov, could use an almost double amount of time to conduct their presentations in the second round. “We could work with 45 full minutes of presentation. The jury had an hour to raise their questions. We worked with the fact that the jury visited our city, read two books we had presented, and talked to us at the first round of the selection procedure. This time we presented informal personal accounts of people on what the project means to them. We talked about lives of specific people in the city. We let the jurors form their own conclusions based on the impressions of people they saw in the film bit by bit. Even though there were five presenters on our team, we have introduced a whole range of people native to Košice, “said Marek Kolarčík, head of the winning project team, on the final presentation, which seized the title for it.

“The project can facilitate improved cultural life in the city. We have brought new ideas on the table, which the project implements either to the full extent or not. Still, new transformation elements of cultural policies will have been put to work,” said the Mayor of Košice, František Knapík, who thinks the project has brought a sense of challenge and enthusiasm into the consciousness of the city and the region. “In 2013, when the city uses the title, increased tourism is expected, which implies further development of local infrastructure. The city will get on the lists of cultural and travel agencies, which will result in more tourism. It is a means to establish Košice among other well-known cities or regions that have been part of our European consciousness, “concluded the Mayor.

“The project is a great opportunity to develop cultural institutions, bring in young artists into the process, and maintain the development of cultural in the city. Many young people, graduates of universities in Košice and Slovakia decided to stay here because of the project, which allows them to put their capabilities to full use,” added Kolárčik.

The project revolves around the transformation of industrial and former military zones into an environment of creative industry. It aims to bring culture into city peripheries, to stimulate dialogue between eastern and western Europe, and to align the demands of man with the environment.
The city estimates an increased investment of about 2.4 billion crowns (80 million euro) in regard with project’s implementation, with structural funds accounting for 53%.


European Capital of Culture was created to promote the process of bringing European nations closer together. Melida Mercouri‘s initiative was launched by the Council of Ministers in June 1985. The notion has been enjoying growing popularity with Europeans ever since. Its cultural, social and economical impacts are noteworthy. Since 1985, thirty-two cities, including Stockholm, Genoa, Athens, Glasgow, Krakow, and Porto won the title. In the course of time, the original initiative has developed without losing its initial intent – to highlight the richness and diversity of European cultures, as well as their common features; to contribute to better mutual acquaintance of Europeans; and to promote general consciousness of belonging to a single European community. (Source: Ministry of Culture of SR)


Zuzana Lehotská,
Media spokesperson, project team Košice - European Capital of Culture 2013