Sárospatak, in northeast Hungary, and Székesfehérvár, southwest of Budapest, were picked from 17 applicants for the title. Undersecretary at the Ministry of Education and Culture Gergely Arató presented the awards to deputy-mayor of Székesfehérvár Mrs. Kálmán Boldizs and Sárospatak mayor Gábor Jánosdeák.
Cities that apply for the title are evaluated according to their cultural accomplishments in the previous five years. Applicants may apply in one of three categories based on their size: over 30,000 residents, 8,000-30,000 residents and under 8,000 residents. Székesfehévár applied this year in the over-30,000 category and Sárospatak applied in the 8,000-30,0000 category, but no applications were received in the under-8,000 category.
In their assessment of the applicants, the award committee examines the level of culture the city has achieved, as determined by cultural activities, cultural elements in the city?s development plans, cultural investments, accomplishments involving contemporary or applied arts, the city?s connections with other foreign cities, cultural offerings for tourists (such as festivals), tourism infrastructure, the sustainability of developments and equal opportunity with regard to culture.
The winning cities may use the title Hungarian City of Culture ? exclusively with the year in which they won the title ? for an indefinite period of time in all of their promotional materials. Winners are also awarded a HUF 1m prize from the Ministry of Education and Culture and another HUF 1m prize from the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development.
Last year, the title was awarded to Kecskemét, Keszthely and Vasvár
