Colourful Europe – Twin-town meeting for the preservation of cultural heritage
The Council of Europe and the Hungarian National Association of Local Authorities (TÖOSZ) has managed the Local Government Best Practice Program since 2008. In 2013 the category of Best twin-town meeting was announced. Szarvas town won the first prize at this competition with its best practice.
Szarvas town has 17000 inhabitants and is situated in Békés county. It has many different twinning relations, but the inhabitants do not know very well the everyday life, habits, cultural and environmental values of the twin-towns. The meeting was established around the theme of the importance of protection of cultural heritage. The participants got to know each others’ cultural heritage in the course of a 4-day event, which also included different performances and a workshop on the protection of built heritage. The event made the strengthening of European identity, the cooperation of civil communities possible.