Plzeň, the European Capital of Culture 2015, wants to involve citizens in the preparations

Plzeň - Plzeň, which officially became the European Capital of Culture for 2015 on Thursday, aims to involve citizens in the preparations and is planning a number of events for them. The organizational team will present a strategic plan for the next five years to the public and local representatives in September. After that, a public discussion should follow, said Yvona Kreuzmannová, the artistic director of the Plzeň - European Capital of Culture 2015 (EHMK) project.
    "EHMK is largely about money, but mainly about people. And the potential of Plzeň lies in its people. There is enormous enthusiasm here and I hope that the euphoria from the victory lasts," she added. The organizers of EHMK want to convince citizens that everyone can join the project in their own way. "It is important to start the process right away," she stated.
    The first major event will be Melina Mercouri Day on June 18, which will provide space for students in the main boulevard. For example, a live stage for student bands with an online broadcast from Radio Bomba, a fashion stage from the Institute of Art and Design and the Vocational School of Commerce, a design market for young designers, art workshops, the juggling festival Juggling Globalization, student theaters, cafés, and refreshment stands. "Together with the students, we will celebrate the title on the closed Americká street really big," Kreuzmannová added.
    On Victory Day, September 8, when the international jury recommended Plzeň as the Czech winner, a Forum for Creative Plzeň will take place. "After Europe Day on May 9 and 10, which had many foreign visitors, we want to involve citizens and give space for their opinions and work on all the themes from Europe Day at the local level so that we can see how the public reacts to the idea of our strategic plan," the director said. Municipalities, the region, the non-profit sector, the social sphere, environmental groups, and minorities will be invited.
    The Plzeň 2015 organization is finalizing a strategic plan for the operation and preparation of the EHMK project, which it will present to the city management this summer. "In September, we want to present it for a huge public discussion," Kreuzmannová said. It will be a comprehensive project, not only about art but about understanding the culture of life in the city in the broadest sense. "And we want people to taste the sensations that we are getting closer to Europe during the preparatory years. We want to seek ways with them to establish a sustainable process of transforming the city, not a one-time festival," she added. Plzeň 2015 was established by the city last September for the preparation and implementation of the EHMK project.