Plzeň 2015 is led by Jiří Suchánek, who wants to involve the locals more

Plzeň - Jiří Suchánek, the new director of the company Plzeň 2015, which is preparing the European Capital of Culture project for 2015, wants to ensure professional organization management, transparency, strict financial oversight, and strengthened collaboration with entrepreneurs and other entities. He plans to leverage his experience from both the private and non-profit sectors, having previously led the OKD Foundation and worked as a representative of the manager of the Czech pavilion at the Expo 2010 in Shanghai. Suchánek officially took up his new position today.
    "The fact that Plzeň will co-govern European culture in 2015 is extraordinary in itself. For the residents of Plzeň and the rest of Europe, the city must be shiny, full of energy, pride, pleasant feelings, and experiences. Regular consumers of Plzeň's culture must gain something extra, and those who don't consume it regularly should be approached in an interesting and clever way," he stated.
    For everything to function outwardly, Suchánek believes that the organization internally must work well. "I see my personal goals and tasks precisely in this area," he noted. He is planning measures to increase professionalism and transparency in the functioning of the entire team of Plzeň 2015, in both personnel and financial aspects.
    According to Suchánek, the foundations of the Plzeň 2015 project must be built on the local community and cultural scene. "I will advocate for maximum involvement of Plzeň-based producers, artists, and other collaborators. I see significant reserves in this area for the company," he indicated.
    The new director considers establishing and strengthening partnerships between the company, government authorities, cultural promoters, and entrepreneurs to be key. "For the program, I focus on sustainability. 2015 does not signify an end; on the contrary. An important goal is to kickstart activities that will continue into the future, and this does not necessarily only pertain to Světovar or a new theater," he stated.
    Suchánek won the closed selection process; his advantage was his experience and projects that significantly transcend the realm of culture and the arts, such as the "Housing Estate Lives" program, which he helped lead in the OKD Foundation's early days. He also has experience in the sector of cultural events and festivals.
    Jiří Suchánek is the fifth director of the Plzeň 2015 company. The first was Milan Svoboda in 2011; after his resignation, he was succeeded by Tomáš Froyda, the director of the Alfa Theater, who stepped down last autumn to focus on the theater. From January, the project was temporarily managed by Erich Beneš, the director of the City's European Project Coordination Department, and from August by Jiří Sulženko, the program director of the project.
    The program of the Plzeň 2015 project, whose main axes were prepared by artistic director Petr Forman, will be presented on December 5 at the Archa Theatre in Prague.