Pécs was awarded the 2010 European Capital of Culture title not only because of its strong cultural tradition, but because of the way it has transformed this tradition to make it a part of 21st century cultural life, said Rubovszky. The idea of renewing culture will be a recurring theme for the Pécs2010 programme, she added.
The city will organise the International Circus and Street Theatre Festival in May and June. One of the highlights of the festival will be a production by the innovative Hungarian director Árpád Schilling and graduates of the French Circus Academy.
Pécs will host the first Mediterranean Festival on Szent István tér on September 1-5. The programme will feature a real "garden of Bacchus", where visitors can "imbibe" dance, the fine arts and literature.
Between September 26 and October 17, the city will hold the first Hungarians Cultural Festival; and in November the Mezzo Opera Contest and Festival as well as the Classarts.hu Festival are on the bill.
Pécs will show an exhibition of new interpretations of porcelain designs and manufacturing techniques by the city's famous Zsolnay Porcelain Factory.
Theatre and dance will also play a big role in the 2010Pécs programme. The Pécs Ballet, the Szeged Contemporary Ballet and the Győr Ballet will put on a joint production of Dante's Divine Comedy. And at the Pécs National Theatre convention, the choreographer Pál Frenák will show his piece Across. In the autumn, the Krétakör theatre troupe will bring an extraordinary piece to Pécs's public spaces.
Literature, film and international conferences are also on the 2010Pécs programme.
Author: Éva Kelemen
Photo: MTI, epiteszforum.hu, ertunk.hu
