Pécs is one of those cities in Hungary and in this region that has continuously been developing and taking the opportunities for break-through. The Competitiveness Pole Programme has set Pécs on a new line. It does not only serve the economic development but also contributes to research and training and in general it facilitates social development. Pécs is abundant in those background institutions that can advance the efficiency of investments and enterprises.
Training and educational institutions of Pécs are ready to train theoretical and practical experts at a high level from elementary schools through vocational training to higher education.
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Pécs-Baranya is one of the strongest among the chambers in developing business models and these are available for enterprises to back them in their operation.
Local enterprises can provide all services and products necessary for the adequate business environment.
All forms of traffic infrastructure are available: airway, railway, Danube river navigation, and highway.
It is a commonplace of the Baedekers that Pécs has a touch of the Mediterranean atmosphere. If a town identifies itself as Mediterranean though not belonging geographically to that region, it does not simply mean that it wishes to attract tourists with the slogan, but it rather reveals its intent to belong to a world where laughter and easiness is part of everyday life, where nightlife peoples squares and streets, where people in the street are open for small talks, and as if there were more festivals than elsewhere. Pécs would like to be a city like this – or perhaps it is already like this.
The unique character and atmosphere of Pécs is largely determined by the fact that it is a university city. Thanks to the more than thirty five thousand national and international students of the University of Pécs, the youthful energy of the city, the busy street life, squares and places of entertainment can be sensed on simple weekdays as well as during the time of large-scale festivals. The colourful and eventful programmes and festivals are hosted by the historic sites and buildings of the city. The World Heritage Site of early Roman burial chambers, the medieval buildings, the different sites of religious history, the streets paved with several thousand year-old stones all radiate a unique atmosphere. Nevertheless, there is no sensation of a vanished past, since taking a step beyond the old-fashioned exhibition halls, contemporary forms of art are continuously entering the public spaces of the city as well. The spirit of modern art penetrates into Pécs. New works of art and performances are constantly being created, inspired by the atmosphere of the city, whose unique nature lies right in the interaction between the city and art. All of this is taken for granted by the residents of the city. Others, however, can only understand it if they visit Pécs and get first-hand experience of the colours, flavours and voices of the city.
Pécs is a workshop for those longing for knowledge, a Canaan for travellers and the centre of the world for the local residents. In 2010 Pécs was the European Capital of Culture. The cultural, artistic and intellectual heritage of the city, the traditions of its ethnic minorities and its geographical location and environment make Pécs one of the most exciting cities of Hungary. This is a place where we can discover traces of the Turkish rule while wandering around the mementos of Christian culture.
The traditional Zsolnay family established a porcelain factory here that still operates in the city. The famous poets Janus Pannonius, Weöres Sándor, Csorba Győző worked here. Numerous other Hungarian artists lived and worked in Pécs and the works of Vasarely, Csontváry and Amerigo Tot are displayed in the form of permanent exhibitions.
The early Christian cemetery, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage list, the Pécs National Theatre Festival, the enchanting restaurants, the Mediterranean climate are but a few things that make this city on the gentle slopes of the Mecsek Hills so attractive.
Pécs is getting ready for its Renaissance. The Borderless City wishes to share its treasures with the world. As European Cultural Capital it was ready to represent Hungarian culture and to welcome Europe with all of her cultural pluralities. Pécs wishes to show the culture of a European border region and to prove at the same time that culture is borderless.
Pécs is the fifth largest city of Hungary, located on the slopes of the Mecsek mountains in the south-west of the country, close to its border with Croatia. It is the administrative and economical centre of Baranya county. Pécs is also the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pécs.
The city Sopianae was founded by Romans at the beginning of the 2nd century, in an area peopled by Celts and Pannoni tribes. By the 4th century it became the capital of Valeria province and a significant early Christian center. The early Christian necropolis is from this era which became an UNESCO World Heritage Site in December 2000.
Its episcopate was founded in 1009 by Steven I, and the first university in Hungary was founded in Pécs in 1367 by Louis I the Great. (The largest university still resides in Pécs with about 26,000 students). Pécs was formed into one of the cultural and arts center of the country by bishop Janus Pannonius, the great, Hungarian, humanist poet. Pécs has a rich heritage from the age of a 150 year long Ottoman occupation, like the mosque of Pasha Qasim the Victorious on Széchenyi square.
Pécs always was a multicultural city where many cultural layers are encrusted melting different values of the history of two thousand years. Hungarians, Croatians and Swabians still live in peace together in economic and cultural polarity. In 1998 Pécs was given the UNESCO prize Cities for peace for maintaining the cultures of the minorities, and also for its tolerant and helping attitude toward refugees of the Balkan Wars. In 2007 Pécs was third, in 2008 it was second Livable city (The LivCom Awards) in the category of cities between 75,000 and 200,000 inhabitants.
In 2010 Pécs was selected to be the European Capital of Culture sharing the title together with Essen and Istanbul. The city’s motto is: „The Borderless City”. After receiving the title major renewal started in the city. Renewed public places, streets, squares and neighbourhoods, new cultural centers, a concert hall, a new library and center and a cultural quarter were designed.
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