The head of its cultural city project wants to be known by Pilsen by the end of October

Plzeň - For the next two months, August and September, Plzeň will be searching for a new head of its project European Capital of Culture 2015. Unlike the unsuccessful previous selection process, this time it will directly approach suitable candidates; it wants to have a new head in office by November 1, 2013. Plzeň prefers a manager over an artist, needing a university graduate with at least three years of experience in a managerial position and fluent English. This was stated today by Mayor Martin Baxa (ODS), chairman of the board of the Plzeň 2015 company, which is preparing the city of culture project.
    "The board of directors decided on Tuesday to announce a closed selection procedure for the position of director of Plzeň 2015," he said.
    The number of candidates approached is not limited, but the board would like to see two to three candidates in the final selection. They set the final decision deadline for October 31. The right to contact suitable people who meet the requirements lies with the board members and also the current and former head of Plzeň 2015.
   "We have clearly agreed that we are looking more for a person with a managerial background and experience rather than an artist. It could be someone who perhaps managed a large theater or festival for ten years or similar," said the mayor. The three main criteria are clear: a university degree, experience in a managerial position, and excellent knowledge of English.
    The previous selection process was open as an international one, but no one from abroad applied. Out of ten interested parties, eight met the mandatory requirements, four advanced to the second round, but in the end, the board did not select anyone and canceled the process on July 10.
    From August 1, Jiří Sulženko, the current program director of the project, will temporarily lead the Plzeň 2015 company. He will replace the acting head Erich Beneš, director of the Department of Coordination of European Projects of the city of Plzeň. He was appointed to the position after Tomáš Froydy resigned, who preferred to lead the Alfa Theater.