Each year POSZT showcases the best and the newest theatre productions in Hungary for a week in the historic city of Pécs in southwest Hungary. The event?s popularity was one of the reasons Pécs was recently chosen to be the European Capital of Culture in 2010.
This year?s gathering will include more productions than ever before, Tamás Jordán, the festival?s director, told a press conference on Thursday. Past POSZT festivals have faced a shortage of funds, but this year?s festival has a budget of HUF 166 million, some from next year?s budget, as well as from sponsors and other resources.
The programme, prepared by actor András Márton, will feature 142 actors, 50 extras and musicians, 13 troupes, including ethnic Hungarians from abroad, and 6 foreign directors in 28 performances. Five of the performances will be premieres. Several prizes will be awarded at the festival by an audience jury, an actors? jury, a professional jury, the media, the Ministry of Culture and the local council of Pécs.
Also on the programme will be tributes to the first 75 years of Hungarian cinema in the form of film screenings.
Deputy-mayor of Pécs Tibor Gonda affirmed the city?s support for the festival, noting that investments in Pécs?s hotels would receive special support in the future. The investments will be required as well for Pécs?s European Capital of Culture title in 2010.
