We have done a 90-minute presentation of our project in front of an international jury. We would like to thank all those who helped us with the preparation of the bid book, the presentation team for Trnava, and the staff that provided the live broadcast from Little Berlin.

Due to pandemic measures, the first round of discussion of candidates for the title of European Capital of Culture 2026 took place online this week. Trnava came on Thursday, February 4, at 1:30 p.m. Around noon, we had a technical exam and shortly after half past one we started.

Foto: Martin Hesko

The presentation of the candidacy was divided into two parts. In the first part, we introduced the city, the project and our visions, and then followed a 60-minute panel of question and answer. The international jury was composed of experts from all over Europe and we discussed it in English. The whole process culminated around a candidate project, the so-called bid book that we submitted on December 15, 2020.

The members of the jury were interested in whether the Trnava project has a broader scope and European dimension. In addition to the cultural program itself, the questions also concerned various social issues, the attractiveness for foreign visitors, the involvement of the public and the local cultural scene, as well as the church and the business community in the implementation of the project.

The Trnava team consisted of Peter Cagala, Michal Klembara, Zuzana Hekel, Peter Kadlic, Petra Klembarová Adamková, Filipa Donaldson and the mayor of Trnava Peter Bročka.

The advancing cities will be known tomorrow, February 5, 2021. The Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic will broadcast the jury's decision on its social networks.

Thank you all for your support. It was an experience to remember.

Foto: Martin Hesko