How is Maribor today, now that its European Capital of Culture (ECC) wheels have started to turn?
The programme was prepared to reflect with dynamics of seasons and Maribor is becoming increasingly lively. A special atmosphere has been created, a positive one that is a pre-condition for any kind of creativity, be it artistic, scientific or in business.
What is the main emphasis of the ECC programme?
The programme was prepared under the vision of a complete reanimation of the city through the possibilities of creativity. You can see international artistic excesses and numerous projects that unlock the known but almost forgotten stories of the city. Special attention is given to social and ecological themes and we are ambitious in using the internet. We would like to demonstrate a model of creative society – local and global are two vitally connected terms today.
What connection do you see between the ECC and meetings industry?
To be a part of a lively, special and at the same time cosmopolitan city is definitely interesting and attractive for any organiser thinking of a meeting destination.
What are the broader tourist aims of the project?
Nowadays we are all looking for interesting things to do and in this sense the ECC is a good magnet, one of a few ‘weapons’ that smaller towns and cities can use in the cogs of the global tourism industry machine. If people say to themselves ‘let’s go and see it’ and are happy with what they have seen, they will return. Tourism is of extreme importance to Maribor.
Do you believe that the new infrastructure created through being the ECC will also be beneficial for the meetings industry?
Questions on the infrastructure and its use come under the realm of the Municipality of Maribor and not the Public Institute Maribor 2012, so they are better placed to address this.
