This title is awarded by the European Union for one year. This gives the chosen city the chance to present itself to the world and introduce its cultural heritage. Athens started the series in 1985, and this year, along with Timisoara and Elefsina, Veszprém (together with the Balaton area) became the Cultural Capital of Europe. In addition to arts, music and literature, there will be no shortage of gastronomic experiences either.
In 2023, a vibrant life and nearly 3,000 events welcome visitors in Veszprém and the Balaton area. The aim of the event is to highlight cultural diversity and develop the region. Another main aspect is sustainability, and giving new life to old buildings through the events. On the one hand, the choice of unconventional locations serves the purpose of filling less-visited parts of the city with content and life, and on the other hand, renovations and improvements raise the standard of the events. So, for example, the offer also includes concerts among the ruins and a festival held on an industrial estate.