Tamás Szalay was born in Pécs, Hungary. He studied literature at the University of Pécs and spent a semester at the University of Heidelberg in Germany. After his studies he worked as editor as well as cultural manager. From 2004 he was a member of the Capital of Culture application team in Pécs. After receiving the title he became cultural director of the European Capital of Culture Pécs 2010. From 2011 he became international director of Zsolnay Heritage Management Ltd. and cultural director for the City of Pécs. From 2013 he worked as director of the Hungarian Cultural Institute in Stuttgart.  At the same time he became a member of the Monitoring and Advisory Panel of the European Capitals of Culture in Brussels. Since 2016 he is head of Magdeburg’s bid for the title of European Capital of Culture 2025.