Veszprém Hosts First ECOC Echo Knowledge Transfer Seminar on Cultural Legacy and Regional Development
The city of Veszprém will host the inaugural Knowledge Transfer Seminar as part of the ECOC Echo project (co-funded by the European Union’s Interreg Europe programme), bringing together stakeholders from past, present, and future European Capitals of Culture (ECoC) to explore the long-term impact of cultural initiatives on urban and regional development.
Organized in the heart of the Veszprém-Balaton (VEB) region, the seminar will focus on sharing best practices and legacy strategies from the VEB2023 ECoC programme. Participants will engage in peer-to-peer learning, policy discussions, and site visits to key cultural venues that have shaped the region’s transformation.
Key Objectives
- Foster active knowledge exchange among ECoC stakeholders
- Explore legacy pillars: cultural programming, infrastructure, finances, emotional impact, and organizational models
- Strengthen European cooperation and build networks for sustainable cultural policy
Programme Highlights
- Seminar presentations with strategic leaders of the programme, including
- Tibor Navracsics, Minister of Regional Development of Hungary and former European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport;
- Gyula Porga, mayor of Veszprém, covering topics such as emotional legacy, regional cooperation, and financial sustainability
- Péter Lamos, Managing Director of Veszprém 2030 Ltd., the company implementing the infrastructural development of the VEB2023 ECoC programme
- Zoltán Mészáros, Chief Executive Advisor of the VEB2023 ECoC programme
- Site visits to legacy venues including the CODE – Center of Digital Experiences, Dungeon Museum, ActiCity Dance and Movement Centre, and Modern Art Center
- Networking events with a touristical touch and guided city tours
Participants of the ECOC Echo project: Leeuwarden 2018 (Netherlands), Novi Sad 2022 (Serbia), Veszprém 2023 (Hungary), Tartu 2024 (Estonia), Chemnitz 2025 (Germany), Oulu 2026 (Finland), Liepāja 2027 (Latvia), Évora 2027 (Portugal), and Bourges 2028 (France).
The participation of the Hungarian partner in the project is co-financed by the Hungarian State.
Related news in the topic:
Nine-country cooperation project strengthens the legacy of European Capitals of Culture beyond the title year
Nine European countries have launched a joint initiative to strengthen the long-term impact of the European Capitals of Culture (ECoC) on regional development beyond the title year, focusing on solutions that help preserve and amplify the momentum generated during the title year.
