“České Budějovice has the ambition to become the European Capital of Culture in 2028. Preparations for this have already begun. The project has broad support. In addition to the city administration, the South Bohemian Region, representatives of the most important cultural institutions and representatives of the alternative cultural scene are behind the candidacy,” says Deputy Mayor Mgr. Juraj Thoma.
Deputy Mayor of České Budějovice
Your city, but also the whole of South Bohemia, has a rich history that foreshadowed the cultural present of the town. How would you introduce your city?
České Budějovice, with over 90,000 inhabitants, is the largest city of the South Bohemian Region and its economic, administrative and cultural centre, as well as the seat of several universities, important offices, public and cultural institutions. It has been an important royal city since its foundation by Přemysl Otakar II in 1265 at the confluence of the Malše and Vltava rivers, which still significantly define its shape today. The city boasts many unique cultural monuments, such as one of the largest and most beautiful squares in Central Europe. We can also boast of natural monuments in the city and its surroundings. World-famous companies with a long tradition, such as Koh-i-noor Hardtmuth, Budějovický Budvar, Robert Bosch or Madeta, also have their home here. And only in Budějovice and South Bohemia can you enjoy a pikador (hot dog) or cmunda (potato pancakes). But the greatest treasure of Budějovice is the people of Budějovice themselves.
What makes you want to be a European City of Culture and what can you bring to Europe in the field of culture?
The candidacy for the European Capital of Culture is an excellent opportunity for us. It is a highly prestigious matter, but we obviously want its impact to have a major influence on the further development of our metropolis, which has enormous potential. We know from the experience of other candidate cities that the preparation of the application itself has a very positive effect. I expect it will become an important basis for conceptual changes in culture and tourism, regardless of the outcome of the honourable contest with our domestic colleagues. It is, therefore, certainly an opportunity to stir up somewhat stagnant waters and an impetus for more extensive changes. It is no coincidence that our partner cities include Linz, the Austrian holder of the ECoC title in 2009, and Nitra in Slovakia, which is now striving for the title in 2026.
Is this title just a prestigious thing or will it also bring more culture to the citizens of the city?
I have already mentioned that this is a prestigious matter. If the title is won, at least Europe will be looking with interest at České Budějovice throughout the year. It will become a landmark and a destination on the map of the continent. Cities that have received the title in the past have not only seen a high number of visitors in the year of the celebrations themselves, but also a steady increase in the number of tourists in the long term. The title has had an impact on both the growth of sales in local businesses and the total number of jobs in the region. To give you a better idea, in Pilsen in 2015, the title brought a total of 580 events, around 1.2 million visitors who spent over CZK 560 million, 255,000 overnight stays for hoteliers and 388 new jobs for the whole region. These are the numbers. In addition to these economic impacts, the long-term conceptual changes in culture, the expansion of the cultural offer, the revitalisation of new spaces and the overall improvement of services are important for the citizens of the city.
České Budějovice is also preparing several large-scale investments in this context. The Slavia Community Centre and the House of Art, Senovážné Square and other long neglected public spaces will be reconstructed. The candidacy for the title of European Capital of Culture gives these projects a common goal and content. The candidacy will help the new cultural spaces get the right start and give them a proper European reputation in terms of dramaturgy with the right timing. Moreover, for all local cultural institutions as well as organisers and tourism entrepreneurs, Budějovice’s candidacy off ers a much-needed reboot after the COVID-19 crisis.
Thank you for the interview
