In Jihlava, a debate began about a possible candidacy for European Capital of Culture

Jihlava - Today, a debate began in Jihlava regarding a potential candidature for the European Capital of Culture in 2028. Besides regional politicians, it was attended by people who have experience with similar projects not only in the Czech Republic. Jihlava's mayor, Karolína Koubová (Jihlava Forum), then told reporters that she expects further discussion within the city council and the Jihlava municipal assembly. She anticipates that a decision would need to be made this year, as there is only one year left to prepare the application.

"If we want to go for it, it’s high time to decide. I believe that Jihlava is very well prepared, even without having done anything concrete yet," Koubová said. According to her, the city has a good strategy for culture and is preparing significant investments, such as improving the city center, the creation of a central transport terminal, and the construction of a multipurpose arena to replace the aging Horácký Winter Stadium. "I can imagine that Jihlava will be in new clothes in 2028," she added. She noted that there are also active associations in the city. At the same time, she acknowledged that there would be a lot of work involved with the candidature. "We haven't discussed specifics yet; this is the first discussion," she pointed out.

The title of European Capital of Culture is awarded annually by the European Union, usually to two European cities, which then have the opportunity to present their cultural life and development to Europe for a whole year. Of Czech cities, Prague held this title in 2000, and Pilsen in 2015. According to participants in today's debate, the cities of Liberec, České Budějovice, Broumov, and Brno would like to apply for the 2028 candidature.

The debate about the possible candidature of Jihlava in the Horácké Theatre preceded today's ceremonial opening of the 25th edition of the Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival. "When we first started talking about this, we initially took it as a kind of joke... As we discussed it more and more, we realized everything we have prepared," Koubová said during the two-hour meeting.

The more skeptical participants included the Governor of the Vysočina Region, Vítězslav Schrek (ODS and STO), who is also a city councilor in Jihlava, and Jihlava's cultural councilor, Silvie Čermáková (We Live Jihlava!). "In my opinion, it is crucial to articulate the change that the city wants to achieve and whether it even needs that change at all," the governor stated, among other things. According to him, the project would require strong political support. Čermáková stated that such an effort would only make sense if it also connected other cities in the region.