The contract about finances for investment projects was signed today

Today (9. 3. 2011), within the halls of the Ministry of Culture SR, contracts were signed regarding the provision of a non-returnable financial subsidy within Priority Axis 7 of the Regional Operational Programme for implementation of projects related to the European Capital of Culture – Košice 2013 project.

The additionally created priority axis creates conditions for the implementation of projects of an investment nature, such as renovation, reconstruction, extension and modernisation of buildings in order for them to be used for cultural-social purposes, the development of culture, arts and cultural-educational tourism, and related procurement of equipment, adaptation and revitalisation of public areas, small architectural elements, public green areas, and reconstruction and completion of the local traffic infrastructure functionally related to the ECOC Košice 2013 project.

Contracts were signed by the Minister of Culture, Daniel Krajcer, as the statutory representative of the Intermediary Body for Priority Axis 7 of the Regional Operational Programme, which is MC SR, and on behalf of the recipients, the Mayor of Košice, Richard Raši, Zdenko Trebuľa as Chairman of Košice Self-Governing Region, František Šándor for Perly Gotickej Cesty n.o (Pearls of the Gothic Route non-profit making organisation), and Marek Kažimír on behalf of Zachráňme Kaštieľ v Krásnej (Save the Manor in Krásna) non-profit making organisation.

To date, the Ministry of Culture SR has taken all the necessary steps to implement investment projects related to the European Capital of Culture – Košice 2013 project, focusing upon creating the necessary cultural infrastructure via Priority Axis 7, in which a maximum of 60 million EUR has been allocated for the given purpose (sources EU/ERDF).

The Ministry of Culture views this project as a unique opportunity to enliven the cultural sphere, to present culture and to offer the widest possible spectra of cultural experiences, not only throughout 2013, but also by permanent development of cultural elements as means of identification, presentation and pleasant experiences for the public.

Projects for which contracts were signed today

City of Košice

• Barracks – Culture Park
• SPOTs – cultural-social centres
• Amphitheatre – multi-functional hall
• Craft Lane – reconstruction
• Park in Moyzesova / Komenského Streets – reconstruction and revitalisation of green areas
• City Park – reconstruction and revitalisation of green areas
• House of Authentic Culture – reconstruction
• Košice Castle – revitalisation and making the archaeological site accessible
• Kunsthalle – reconstruction
• Perly Gotickej cesty n.o (Pearls of the Gothic Route)
• St. Elizabeth’s Cathedral – reconstruction

Zachráňme kaštieľ v Krásnej n.o (Save the Manor in Krásna)

• Manor in Krásna nad Hornádom – reconstruction

Košice Self-Governing Region

• Craft Lane – Lapidarium and outdoor presentation of crafts
• Islands of Culture – Open zone 1 – Historic purpose built building of the East Slovakia Museum, Košice
• Islands of Culture – Open zone 2 – East Slovakia Gallery
• Islands of Culture – Open zone 3 – Puppet Theatre in Košice
• Islands of Culture – Open zone 5 – Ján Bocatio Public Library
• Islands of Culture – Open zone 6 – Thália Theatre

Apart from striving to secure individual tasks related to implementation of the investment projects as soon as possible, the Ministry of Culture SR has prepared a separate programme within the Grant System 2012 under the name, European Capital of Culture 2013- Košice, which focuses upon supporting the implementation of non-investment cultural projects within the event. These projects are in the process of approval and the results will be announced to the applicants and public shortly.