Besser must find money for Plzeň 2015 in his own budget

Prague - Minister of Culture Jiří Besser (STAN) today failed in the government with a request for a contribution to the project European Capital of Culture Plzeň. One hundred million should be found in its own budget, he asked that the money for this unique event be allocated directly from the state budget. Starting next year, it was supposed to be 20 million crowns for three years, and in the year of the event, 40 million crowns.
      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 allocated for investments, 630 million for the program, and 246 million for other expenses including marketing.
      The planned state support concerns exclusively subsidies for the preparation and implementation of non-investment program activities, which will be provided by the public benefit corporation Plzeň 2015.
      The West Bohemian city of Plzeň became the European Capital of Culture for 2015 this May. This was approved by European culture ministers in Brussels. The city's leadership sees it as an enormous opportunity for Plzeň not only in the next four years. Last year, on September 8, the selection committee recommended Plzeň as the winner over Ostrava.
      Among investments, Plzeň proposed a new theater, a regional gallery, the Světovar cultural center, and the Štruncovy sady relaxation park. Thanks to EHMK, Plzeň has the opportunity to obtain European grants.
      Mayor Martin Baxa (ODS) stated that "it is likely and correct to say" that due to the economic crisis, it will be difficult for the city to fulfill the great ambitions outlined in the competition application. Baxa emphasized that Plzeň must use the funds in such a way that it "transforms overall and profoundly" by 2015. At the same time, the entire region must be better connected. Plzeň aims to involve the university and entrepreneurs in the project.
      The creative team will present a strategic plan for the project to the city council and the public in September. Following this, there should be a huge public discussion, said project artistic director Yvona Kreuzmannová.