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Friday, 26.04.2024, 08:38
Parnu keen to vie for status of European capital of culture with Tartu, Viljandi
Photo: parnu.ee |
"Our goals are the same," Parnu Mayor Marko Sorin said.
"We wish to have an interesting and creative living environment, attach
value to local culture and wish to diversify it. Competing with one another
doesn't always pay off, half of Estonia would benefit from cooperation,"
he said.
Sorin said that all cities in Europe and elsewhere have understood that
what you need to develop is a region, not individual cities. For Europe, Parnu,
Tartu and Viljandi are a single region, albeit with minor differences.
He said that speaking in favor of Parnu are the sea, an intensive
cultural program during the summer, closeness to nature and a history dating
back 11,000 years.
Viljandi, according to Sorin, serves as an example of a small town that
can make itself big, whereas Tartu lacks comparison in Estonia when it comes to
intelligentsia. By supporting one another and tapping into one another's
strengths the cities would be able to offer more to tourists and establish ties
that will be preserved after the end of the period that they serve as European
capitals of culture.
The mayor of Parnu said that European Capital of Culture 2024 is not
about individual buildings or expensive concerts, but joining our forces to
prevent the relocation of people to the capital and its environs.
"People must be able to lead a good and interesting life everywhere
in Estonia. Who could motivate them more than Parnu, Tartu and Viljandi
together," Sorin said.
The council of Parnu is scheduled to discuss the proposal on Sept. 6.