Plzeň, as the European Capital of Culture 2015, is to receive 100 million CZK from the state

Plzeň - Plzeň should receive 100 million crowns from the state as direct support for the European Capital of Culture 2015 (EHMK) project between 2012 and 2015. The proposal will be submitted to the government by Minister of Culture Jiří Besser (TOP 09) in June. The condition is that on May 19 in Brussels, European culture ministers confirm Plzeň as the European Capital of Culture for 2015. Minister Besser said this to ČTK at today's international conference for Europe Day.
    "The proposed amount is 100 million crowns, with 20 million crowns for each of the three preparatory years and 40 million crowns in the final year of 2015," he added. The amount is non-investment, meaning it is for supporting cultural activities. According to the minister, Plzeň can allocate the money as it sees fit. If Plzeň or the ministry sought more from the government, it could jeopardize even the proposed sum of 100 million crowns, according to Besser.
    However, the conference highlighted that previous cities of culture had a budget of approximately 1.5 billion crowns, of which the states provided one-third. The rest came from city halls, regions, sponsors, grants, and EU programs. According to Besser, if Plzeň is clever, it can also access half a billion crowns from various grants. "Thanks to EHMK, Plzeň gains plus points, which always improves the assessment of submitted applications," the minister added.
    He stated that no member state is obliged to provide investment or non-investment resources for EHMK. "It is indeed the will of that state," Besser added. He deemed direct state support for investments in Plzeň related to EHMK, such as the construction of a theater and gallery, impossible.
    Plzeň, which was recommended as EHMK by an international commission last September, now has a chance to access grant schemes, especially the so-called Norwegian funds, according to Besser. "Together with the Ministry for Regional Development, we managed to secure money for the fifth call, which will be announced in the fall. There, for the next two to three years, there is 18.3 million euros for investments and 3.5 million euros for non-investment programs," he stated. The high amounts listed in the budgets of previous EHMK, such as Košice or Tallinn, according to Besser, are funds directed to cities as well as to regions. He pointed out that, for example, 490 million crowns from the integrated operational program of the EU is going to the Plasy monastery (Plzeň region), whose third call is also prepared.
    The minister stated at the conference that he has the support of some ministers for the approval of the 100 million crowns sum for Plzeň. "They realize the state's commitment to the EU. But if we are addressing issues such as pension and health reforms, the civil code, and the public procurement law, I do not blame my colleagues for the fact that what is one of my priorities this year is a marginal issue for them. I believe, however, that it will work out," he added. The ministry can also help Plzeň by ensuring free exhibitions in national museums under its purview, as well as concerts by the Czech Philharmonic.
    Last year, Plzeň set the budget for the EHMK project for the years 2011 to 2016 at 2.6 billion crowns. Of that, 1.72 billion was to be earmarked for investments, 630 million for programs, and 246 million crowns for other expenses including marketing. For investments, Plzeň proposed a new theater, a regional gallery, the Světovar cultural center, and the Štruncovy sady relaxation park.
    The mayor of Plzeň, Martin Baxa, stated at the conference that "it is probable and correct to say" that due to the economic crisis, it will be difficult for the city to fulfill the large ambitions stated in the competition application. "None of the previous EHMK fulfilled the project in detail," said Besser. According to Baxa, a strategy is now being prepared that will tell the city council members in a few months what exactly the content of the project will be and the goal of its fulfillment. He emphasized that Plzeň must use the funds in such a way that it will "transform deeply and overall" in 2015.