Pécs beat the Hungarian cities of Budapest and Debrecen for the 2010 European Capital of Culture title in 2005 by stressing its geopolitical role as a bridge for different cultures in the region: a "borderless" city. In addition to its links to neighbouring countries and cultures, Pécs said in its application that it wanted to balance out the cultural dominance of Budapest in the country.
Some HUF 50 billion is going toward the Pécs2010 programme, including big investment projects, road work and hotel developments, as well as the events themselves. The programme is expected to bring about a million people to the city. Between 20pc and 30pc of visitors will come from abroad, mostly from Austria, Germany and Croatia.
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Some 350 cultural programmes will be on offer in Pécs during the year. An additional hundred civil programs and 80-100 regional partnership programmes will round out the year.
Pécs is building a Conference and Concert Centre for 2010 that will house the city's Pannon Philharmonic Orchestra. The other main investment projects for the Pécs2010 programme include a Knowledge Centre, the Zsolnay Cultural Quarter, a Grand Exhibition Square and a Museum Street.
Pécs will share the 2010 European Capital of Culture title with Essen and Istanbul.
Source: Hungarian News Agency (MTI) / Photo: MTI
