Taking stock of 2025: České Budějovice on its way to becoming European Capital of Culture
The year 2025 was another important step for České Budějovice on its journey towards 2028, when the city will hold the title of European Capital of Culture.
This year, the local scene showed that culture is a living process that connects residents, stimulates creativity, and opens the city to Europe and its own surroundings.
At the end of the year, we also unveiled a new visual identity, symbolized by a new project logo. Our supporters will encounter it in all communication channels and at events that await us in the coming years.
SOUTOK: A new urban tradition
The celebrations marking the city's 760th anniversary gave rise to a new cultural festival called SOUTOK. The weeks of June filled Budějovice with a program that brought culture out of institutions and into the streets, parks, and riverside. From the MOSTY contemporary circus show to the Art in the City festival and the Žižkárna and Háječek Summer Cinema community programs, the city literally came alive.
One of the most powerful moments was the Picture for My City, in which nearly a thousand residents took part. Ninety-five giant canvases were combined to create a single image covering an area of 6,400 m². These works will be on display again in 2028 at the opening of the ECoC.
Summer on the move: culture in the city and countryside
The summer season showed that culture has no boundaries or brick walls.
- Skateholders combined skateboarding with art, performances, and debates about the city, community, and mental health. This year also saw the creation of a new skate installation that shows how even a small intervention can transform public space and expand its possibilities for use.
- Sklizeň 2025 brought theater, dance, and new circus to the meadows and forests near Komařice, allowing the landscape to become part of the art.
- Theatre Continuo brought everyday life to life in the park near Velký jez with immersive theater and evening site-specific projects.
Ars Biologica: when science and art come together
In August, Pavilion R2 at the Země živitelka exhibition was transformed into a laboratory, gallery, and discussion forum. The Ars Biologica project brought a new perspective on the landscape, sustainability, and agriculture, and showed how cooperation between scientists, artists, students, and the public can enrich our relationship with the place where we live.
Young Creators: young energy for the city
The Young Creators program supported student projects, meetings with experts, and the creation of new cultural initiatives. Young people are thus acquiring skills that will shape local culture in the long term - even after 2028.
Workshops and participation: culture in the hands of the people
2025 was also a year of practical workshops and participatory activities. From storytelling to voice experiments to inclusive guided walks—formats that drew the public directly into the creative process. Programs such as City Diary, No Cap!/Honestly, Cycle up! and Meet: Your Voice brought culture closer to everyone, regardless of age or ability.
Outlook for 2026
