Applicable to the Strand 2 – Measure 2.1"Town-Twinning”
Participation: The project involved 324 citizens, notably 141 participants from the city of Cristuru Secuiesc/Székelykeresztúr
(Romania), 50 participants from the locality of Balatonkeresztúr (Hungary), 42 participants from the locality of Derecske
(Hungary), 28 participants from the city of Dunakeszi (Hungary), 26 participants from the city of Budapest (Hungary), 17
participants from the city of Kalocsa (Hungary), 9 participants from the city of Karcag (Hungary), 6 participants from the city of
Ajka (Hungary), 5 participants from the city of Kunszentmiklós (Hungary), and the number of indirect participants was approx.
3000.
Location/ Dates: The event took place in Cristuru Secuiesc (Romania), from 26/07/2021 to 01/08/2021
Short description:
The main purpose of the program was to bring together delegations from town-twinning localities of Cristuru Secuiesc and to
help the participants to acquire through diverse types of activities relevant and realistic information about the functioning,
positive results and problematics of the European Union. An important aim of the meeting was to bring together people for
getting to know and count achievements of the EU on local, even general level, but also with the revival the common history
of the European community, to give them opportunity for presenting images with moments of history being in connection with
the establishment and evolution of the EU, for discussing issues the EU, the future of the EU in the prism of present
problematic, faces in times of crisis (COVID-19 pandemic, after Brexit times, etc.), for understanding the euroskepticism,
exclusion manifested towards migrants, for helping to find solutions for these problems and therefore to get aware of the
importance of becoming active European citizens, to encourage the involvement in the cultural, social, educational life of the
EU in order to make people aware that with small steps they can influence their future and the perspectives of the EU, for
sharing their cultural values (culinary, folkloric, etc.) in order to preserving the multiculturalism of Europe, and for discussing
the future of the community and for establishing mutual cooperation.
The day of 26th of July, 2021 was dedicated to reception of smaller delegations, greetings and presentation of the Program
for European Citizens, the Twinning sub-program and the program of the event, coordination of the tasks of the
representatives of the received delegations during the project, joint preparation of the scenario of round table discussions. In
the afternoon, there were two meetings, on the one hand, presenting molinos, posters and panels about the political changes
and events of the last years and decades, the historical moments of joining the EU, and campaigns. The exhibition is the
Hungarian representative of Miklós Bánó to the project participants arriving for the city days, which was also colored by
clarinet tracks. The event was moderated and presented by historical attorney Attila Györgyi, a local government
representative and private collector, who also mentioned the responsibilities and tasks of political leaders and European
minority issues. After the presentation of the valuable collection and the historical review, they shared their experiences of
those present in an informal professional discussion. This was followed by project participants from another target group. The
difficulties caused by the pandemic and their effects on education were assessed and analyzed at the teachers' reception, as
well as discussions on cross-border schools and twinned settlements, joint programs, opportunities, and a forum for the
advancement of children in the EU.
The day of 27th of July, 2021. On the second day of the city day events, the main role was played by the arts and the
display of our living spaces and regions. The opening of the exhibition of the works of the painting creative camp took place
and opened on that day. The works presented at the exhibition faithfully reflected the landscapes, places and life situations
that are presenting in Szeklerland, but at the same time in many parts of which the homeland people could also find points of
connection. Parallels were drawn and similarities were listed by those present between the “here and there”, “then and far”
worlds, lives, countries and parts of the country. Through the activity, participants became aware of their common historical
and literary values, recognizing the importance of their own and the European community's cultural treasures, and thus the
preservation of their national identity and multiculturalism. After the afternoon program, they were waiting for those who were
interested in a garden cinema. In addition to the pleasant, historically filled outdoor location and the experience of garden
cinema, the participants were able to gain an insight in to the everyday life of Hungary in the war.
The day of 28th of July, 2021 was dedicated to youth and sport. The programs continued with student events, youth
activities and sports competitions on Wednesday. The young people consulted on various current topics and issues affecting
students, showed their creativity in youth competitions, voiced their ideas and learned from each other's experiences and
from the invited moderators and organizational leaders. The activities aim to get the younger generation to get to know the
wider community of which they are a part. In their case, game-based sessions are most effective. At the same time, the day
was made exciting and dynamic by the duathlon and triathlon competitions, where the interest was beyond imagination:
running, cycling, swimming children, adults, young people, the elderly, families, companies also entered a sporting event
promoting and promoting a healthy lifestyle
The day of 29th of July, 2021. On Thursday, the events continued with programs and activities aimed for students, and a
series of programs organized around the memory of the poet Sándor Petőfi. At the same time, larger foreign delegations
were received. Among the topics of the student conference were the better cooperation between young people and official
bodies, local governments, municipal, city and county administrative institutions, and the need to involve young people's
innovative ideas in the management of the settlement. Educating and encouraging, be active European citizens was primarily
aimed at much of the programs organized for youth actors. The local youth organization (ATA) was set up with a variety of
playful activities for young people to learn about EU funding opportunities, volunteering programs, opportunities in non-formal
education and personal development, and dissected the benefits of social media during a roundtable discussion, the present
of freedom of expression in the EU. The revival of our historical and local literary culture, Petőfi'scult, was manifested in the
traditional bicycle pilgrimage and sports championships named after our famous poet. In the mean time, the groups from the
foreign twinning were received by the organization.
The day of 30th of July, 2021 was dedicated to interculturality. The most joy full day of the series of events and our project
was undoubtedly Friday, which began with a solemn flag-raising and singing the Örömóda/the song, Ode to Joy. The official
anthem of the European Union speaks without words, in the universal language of music, about the European ideals of
freedom, peace and solidarity, expressing an idealistic worldview emphasizing brotherhood between people. It was also
important for us to connect our events to these ideas, to do for our relations, to strengthen strong, active European
citizenship. Along these themes and goals, at the solemn municipal meeting, the present heads of delegation evaluated the
co-operations so far and discussed the establishment of further effective partnerships, accompanied by a cultural program,
the distinguished persons of the organizing settlement were honored. Through the program element, the public also
deepened the topic of the concept of euroskepticism, understanding the reasons for the emergence and spread of these
trends. In addition, participants became aware of what it would mean for citizens to lose the EU. In parallel with the meeting,
the young people and students also continued their programs: round table discussions, lectures, deliberations took place in
the ATA tent. It was colored by a first aid demonstration, training, ecumenical worship, a ceremonial parade, a mayor’s
greeting and craft fair, and then a series of cultural performances completed the day. Performers from foreign delegations
and local, regional singers and dancers presented their productions on stage.
The day of 31th of July, 2021. On Saturday our project was also busy, diverse and varied. The Petőfi marathon was the first
memorial run, where all the participants were running for the same goal: the intertwining of our common culture, literature,
traditions, emphasizing the importance of cross-border thinking and action, charitable goals, noble affairs, and the will to do
things together. The cooking competition and wine competition were based on similar identical features and the beauties of
diversity: everyone felt the same flavor, the same taste, the taste of community power at the competition of Hungarian dishes
popular throughout Europe and the competition of well-made grape juices. Meanwhile, the children raged cloudlessly in the
“corner” of the KID Zone, bathing in foam, crafts, creating, singing, dancing. The most touching and uplifting part of the series
was the Néptánc-Gála (folk dance gala) and the commemoration of Petőfi's death. Important messages, heartfelt speeches
and memories, recalls of historical moments at the most important point of the cross-country scenes of the memorial, in the
Gyárfás Garden. Also after the commemoration the participant leaders discussed the present problems, like the refugee
crisis, its causes, its impact on the European community, and to develop a sense of solidarity and tolerance towards
immigrants. The revival of our folk culture and uniqueness, Szekler and Hungarian, Roma and Romanian traditions, was
fulfilled at the gala of folkdance and folk court: the audience appreciated the performing ensembles and guests with several
applause. And the light music concerts and fireworks were able to put appoint on the “i” despite the sudden storm, persistent
and boundless good humor was present until the last minute of the event.
The day of 1st of August, 2021 was dedicated to project ending and to make conclusions. On the closing day of the busy
week, those whom were wishing to relax and recharge could take part in worship services and a pleasant music-playful
unloading fair. Only the summary meetings of the delegations, the results of the project, the success of the meeting, the
actual closing chord took place, where the aim was to plan further collaborations and joint projects and to fulfill the promise of
continuation, hoping for a meeting as soon as possible. Through the the whole project and meeting the town-twinning
delegations, settlements got to know each other better, found common ground in the process of settlement development,
were inspired by each other's projects, came up with ideas for further development of these applications, became aware of
the positive benefits of joining the European Union, got to know each other's main values.