Changes in the Leadership of Veszprém-Balaton 2023 JLC

“I have held the position of CEO at Veszprém-Balaton 2023 JLC since March 2018. When Veszprém first decided to run once again for the European Capital of Culture title in 2016, I took an active role in the project from the very beginning: I became leader of the newly formed Art Council, was a member of the presentation team in the first as well as the second round of the bid, and a main organiser and leader of the jury’s visit in December 2018.

My work as CEO has from the beginning been burdened by the dilemma of how I can harmonise all these duties with my already existing involvement in business, gastronomy, tourism (Oliva Hotel and Restaurant) and culture (VeszprémFest), which reaches back almost two decades.

By now it has become clear that in this phase of work the European Capital needs a complete individual, one who is able to dedicate all their attention, energy and time to these tasks, and I have had to realise that my person no longer meets these requirements.

As a result of all this and based on talks with the city’s leaders, the Commissioner’s Office and my colleagues working next to me in management, we have decided to terminate my employment as CEO from 20th March by mutual agreement.

After that date I will continue to be part of the ECoC team as chief adviser, building on the experience of the past four years, supporting the development and unfolding of the already started projects, backing my successor and promoting the aims of the ECoC fund in general.

In addition to my office as general adviser, my specific tasks will be developing festivals and bringing them up to regional visibility levels. I will also take part in developing and completing projects where I have owned or co-owned original ideas, and which are personally close to me,”- Zoltán Mészáros wrote in his statement of resignation.

This announcement is the first step in exchanging CEOs. Zoltán Mészáros will then proceed to hand in his resignation to the JLC’s Board of Directors, which in turn will vote on the motion. At the same time, Alíz Markovits will be taken on the Board, which then votes on the appointment of the new invited CEO. Veszprém-Balaton JLC’s incumbent CEO will take office on 21st March and can hardly wait to fill in her new position:

“I started my career in the competitive sector, in finance and foreign trade, and went on to act as project manager and expert in a wide range of domestic and international programmes. As Head of Department at the Institute of Advanced Studies and development leader, I gained several years’ experience in planning, executing and controlling regional development projects. My priority task has been putting Professor Ferenc Miszlivetz’s KRAFT (Creative City – Sustainable Ragion on Kőszeg town’s example) concept into practice”. This functioning project has been given priority status by the Hungarian government.

The Institute contributed to the preparation work of the European Capital of Culture bid, incorporating principles of KRAFT in the idea and concept that Veszprém’s chance for real success lies in collaboration with the surrounding region.

I am convinced that an exemplary region can be formed here based on cooperation between Veszprém’s municipality and the region’s self-governments, the academic and the corporate sphere, building on the strengths of the settlements with thought and action focused on solving shared problems. Such a region will indeed be worthy of Europe’s attention. In order to achieve this, we will need support from civil society, local citizens, because it is them who will be instrumental in success and sustainability.

I will work to make 2023 a successful and memorable year, the effects of which will long be detectable in the development of Veszprém and the Balaton region,”- Alíz Markovits writes in her inaugural statement.