Up to the present day, this city has been multi-ethnical and multi-cultural. All this by itself makes Košice a European city with or without running for the title of the European Capital of Culture. What is to wish the candidate city on its journey for the title? Being the city´s Mayor, I will be delighted if Košice were successful in the competition, and managed to put its project into practice so that it could, eventually, enrich the cultural life of the people living in this city and its region. I am convinced that if we win the title we will treat it in a responsible manner in order to present well both Košice and the whole of Slovakia.

I am not a natural born citizen of Košice, but I have lived in this city for four decades, so I find myself one of the Košice people. This is one of the reasons why I wish Košice won the capital of culture title. I wish the city lived, grew and flourished.

I wish Košice were not a mere candidate, but became a true holder of the title: European Capital of Culture. I wish the people of the modern times became aware of the medieval standing of Košice so that they could even now adopt the school of thought governing those times. I wish the spiritual, moral, and cultural sides to this city rose following the traditionally peculiar ambience of this city, so typical of this place ever since.

Košice is a city, which many have not heard of. This might be caused by the fact that the countries smaller in size are usually known for their capitals only. Well, the city, which seems to be the dearest one to my heart, is not much known in the world. I think it is a pity as the world thus cannot learn of perhaps the most beautiful place in Slovakia.
I am proud of my hometown, the town, which will let you go back in time and get to know the landmark of this city as well as the splendid historical monuments, which were the witnesses of the importance to what Košice meant in the past. When I was a little kid, I would go with my friends and explore the city´s lanes to find their beauty and mystery. It was lovely then. I wish everybody could have such experiences. For a great part of my life I lived right here, and I am very much familiar with this place. This is one of the reasons why I am joining the initiative for winning the title of the European Capital of Culture 2013.

Historically speaking, Košice is so important that it is in place to refer to this town as a special phenomenon… The history of this town is so rich that there is not a single century to be skipped as unmeaningful. This is among the reasons for which I do wish Košice could represent not only their own history, but also the said phenomemon being built up here for centuries, starting in the prehistory and extending as far as the present times.

I am convinced that Košice is fully qualified to become the European Capital of Culture 2013. Visitors to Košice have always grown fascinated by this place, in the positive sense for the most part. This makes me wish Košice did become the city of culture in 2013.

In addition to the four years I spent at the School of Music, the years, which played a key role in shaping my future professional career, I would often be coming and spending some time in this town later on. Mostly, when giving performances with the State Philharmonic Orchestra, or to make some other appearances.
Since my students´ times I have been keeping in touch with the specific atmosphere created by the Košice lifestyle. This bright spot on the map of Slovakia is an intersection of several cultures, each leaving its mark behind. Despite the hardships of the past times, this city has become a vibrant centre of culture for its vicinity as well as further surroundings, even the whole country.
The citizens of Košice even now turn out in a large number on cultural ocassions. They can make their choice for the quality when selecting out of a large number of offered events. They can find time to enjoy themselves and gain in true values. The Košice philharmonic orchestra, which is the dearest piece of Košice to my heart, has managed to be ranked among the well-reputed and respected orchestras in the world. Many thanks go to the town supporting the orchestra. Their recordings are now found at the music shops literally all over the world.

Košice is special for its ecumenical cooperation. There is no other place in Europe where the cooperation among churches flourishes as much as in Košice. I wish the title of the European Capital of Culture turned real for Košice.

Košice has always been doing well in the ambit of culture. There seems to be plenty of talented people, and it would be shame not to let them grow on and assume the European dimension as well. I would like to wish Košice reached the top and became the European capital of culture in 2013.

Košice seems to show traces of many cultures. This city belongs to both West and East. It has many faces and can present them all. I wish we won the title of the European City of Culture, which would give us a nice chance to share some this city with the rest of the world.

Since the Middle Ages Košice has been a European city falling under the European cultural domain. The history of this city gives enough evidence. There is now a chance to show Europe and the world that on the onset of the 21st century we enjoy having all, tradition, history, and innovative ideas. Košice has a great, yet dormant, potential to make people come and see this part of Central Europe.

Reading books and literacy are among the fundamental pre-requisites for culture and civilization to sustain. I am glad Košice remembered these fundamentals, and that is why I am supporting the Košice – European Capital of Culture 2013 project.

Even if born in Gelnica, living in Spišská Nová Ves, and working in Prešov, I do wish Košice won the title of the European Capital of Culture 2013. I have feelings for Košice. I am attracted to its cosmopolitan character, grandness and beauty. I feel Košice live a life of culture, which makes this city worthy of the ECC title.

I think St Elizabeth´s Cathedral is the greatest attraction to represent this city in the world. There is still much more about this place that deserves attention of Europe. For that and for many other reasons, I wish Košice became the European city of culture. There should be no doubts about our success. All Košice locals who have a say shall do their best to accomplish this goal.

Je skvelé, že Košice sú kandidátom na Európske mesto kultúry 2013. Myslím, že to čo ste urobili dnes /28.9.2007 - PLATFORMA/, je veľmi dôležitým krokom k tomuto cieľu. Ja osobne želám Košiciam veľa úspechov v tomto úsilí.

Košice je mesto ktoré je sídlom spoločnosti VSE. Ako spoločnosť cítime svoju spoločenskú zodpovednosť. Preto je pre nás dôležité aby sme v dialógu s občanmi a s mestom sa zúčastnili na podpore tejto kandidatúry.

Košice určite sú multikulturálnym, multietnickým, multikonfesionálnym mestom s bohatou kultúrou. Sme veľmi tolerantní k všetkým etnikám, ktoré tu žijú. A myslím si, že sme veľmi dôstojným partnerom aj budeme partnerom francúzskemu víťazovi v tomto súboji.