Jiri Suchanek is a cultural professional with vast experience in international projects related to marketing, tourism, arts and culture. He acted as the CEO of European Capital of Culture - Pilsen 2015 project [total value 20 mil EUR]. Since 2016 he has been in charge of the Creative Centre DEPO2015 [legacy project of ECoC Pilsen 2015]. Jiri was also a member of the Selection and Monitoring Panel for European Capital of Culture between 2017 and 2020 [expert contract with European Commission]. Between 2008 and 2010 he worked for the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs as the Head of Production for the Czech Pavilion at World EXPO 2010 in Shanghai. In 2017 he led the cultural program for the Czech Pavilion at EXPO2017 in Astana and also contributed to Dubai EXPO2020/2. Previously he also worked as the Director of the OKD Foundation, responsible for the development of areas affected by the coal mining industry. Jiri is also responsible for artistic part of the light festivals: BLIK BLIK [CZ], VARY ZÁŘÍ [CZ] and PRISMA in Aveiro [Portugal]. He also loves to come back to his home town Sobotka [Czech paradise] where he co-produces festival of music and craftsmanship Sobotecky jarmark. Jiri is a passionate but a bit lazy tennis player, runner, food lover and chef, music fan, festival beast and happy father of two kids

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„Being a cultural globe-trotter is one of the most exciting jobs one can imagine. Seeing the results of cultural shifts on the city development is the biggest motivation to keep rollin“.