On the 3rd June 2010, HMA Greg Dorey, the UK Ambassador to Hungary, and Simon Ingram-Hill, Director of British Council Hungary launched the first follow-up 'product' of the March UIB in Hungary, the cultural map of Pécs. The Cultural Map of Pécs is a project that has been in preparation for the last three or four years. It began with meetings of members of local civil society about the European Capital of Culture in 2010.

These meetings had no specific outcome, but strengthened ties. This process often attracted international attention, as was the case with the initiative A Soul for Europe, which held a conference here in 2008, and which kept us under its watch and guidance. Another outcome was the establishment of Cultural LABOR Social Co-operative, which is a small umbrella organisation incorporating individuals with their own civil groups. The Urban Ideas Bakery of the British Council was a further stepping point for this process in spring this year, where the idea of the map was formed.

Now, for 2010, we are preparing a physical representation of active civil society groups in Pécs, with a special emphasis on culture. We plan to take each part of the city and show tourists, students, those who wish to take an active part in the city’s life, and want to volunteer, etc. places where they can do so. The map will feature brief profiles of the members of civil society organisations, and also places which we feel people should know about – small local bakeries, good bookshops, and cafés that stand out and that we recommend. The map is being developed with funding from the European Union.

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