F.A.Q.

The title of European Capital of Culture is awarded annually by the European Union to two cities from different member states; every three years, with one city from a non-EU country added every three years.

In 2028, Bourges (France) and Skopje (North Macedonia) will join Budweis on the ECoC map.

The idea of European Capitals of Culture (ECoC) was initiated in 1985 by the Greek Minister of Culture, Melina Mercouri, who presented her vision of cultural cooperation between European countries to the then European Community.

The ECoC title gives the cities and their cultural scene the opportunity to raise their profile and attract visitors. It presents the city in a long-term perspective as a cultural space ideal for living or doing business.

The title of ECoC has not only cultural but also economic significance. It increases visitor numbers, supports local business and brings new job opportunities. Its real value, however, lies in the long-term transformation of the city's cultural policy, the infrastructure development, the improvement of the conditions for the cultural and creative industries and their connection with education, the social sphere and community life.

The answer to this question can be found in the example of Pilsen 2015: "The total attendance of approximately 580 events of the ECoC Pilsen 2015 amounted to 1,230,422 entries, after subtracting multiple entries during the stay it was approximately 1,134,849 visitors. Visitor expenditure directly related to attendance at ECoC events held in the Czech Republic amounted to 564.3 million CZK. Visitor expenditure caused an increase in production by 711 million CZK, both for direct and indirect suppliers of goods and services for visitors. Of this, approximately 90 million CZK was due to expenditure by foreign visitors, i.e. net benefits for the Czech Republic.

The high attendance at ECoC events also increased the gross value added, or GDP of the Czech economy, by approximately CZK 222.5 million. CZK. Companies and entrepreneurs, direct and indirect suppliers of goods and services to visitors, increased their profits by approximately CZK 70.5 million."

Source: Tereza Raabová a kol., Economic impacT v.o.s.: Evropské hlavní město kultury Plzeň 2015: Dopady výdajů návštěvníků na ekonomiku ČR, 2016 

We are now preparing the program for 2028 and developing projects that are gradually changing the cultural face of the city and the region. In 2025 we are working on the implementation of the first projects (19 projects implemented this year), on the preparation of future projects (15), as well as on the forming of partnerships with institutions, artists and organizations in the Czech Republic and abroad.

At the same time, we are expanding educational programs, supporting the creative industries, preparing open calls for artists, communities and cultural projects, and building long-term facilities that will be kept in the city after 2028.

Our goal is to make 2028 not a one-off event, but the beginning of a lasting transformation of the cultural life of Budweis and the South Bohemian Region.

The Budweis team is working under the banner of the registered institute České Budějovice - European Capital of Culture 2028 with partners and external teams and individuals.

The Budweis 2028 project is financed from several sources. The main part of the funding is provided by the Statutory City of Budweis and the South Bohemian Region, which together provide most of the operational and program budget. Other financial support is provided by the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic, the European Union, partners from the public and private sectors and international grant programs.

The aim is to create a stable and sustainable funding model that will ensure that investments in culture will have lasting benefits for the city, the region and its residents - even beyond 2028.

The funding is divided into several areas, which together form the basis of the Budweis 2028 project.

The funds are primarily directed towards: the implementation of cultural and artistic projects, festivals and events for the public, support for local artists, cultural organisations and community initiatives related to the Budweis 2028 project, educational programmes for schools, the public and cultural professionals, development of cultural infrastructure and public space, as well as for the administrative and organisational support of the project.

You can participate in the project too! You can find all the details in the Get involved section.