These towns and villages will represent their countries in the competition of Entente Florale Europe in 2024.
City of Velenje, Slovenia |
| Velenje is Slovenia's sixth-largest city and is located in northeastern Slovenia, among the rolling green hills of the Šalek Valley. Velenje, a city with vision and youthful energy, one of the sunniest and greenest in Slovenia, situated by lakes, is a centre for social and sports activities. During the period of socialist government, this young multicultural and entrepreneurial city flourished under the shadow of picturesque Velenje Castle, in tandem with its dynamic city life and green surrounds. You can learn about local coal extraction methods at the Coal Mining Museum of Slovenia in Velenje, and visit its tourist mining cave with the deepest underground dining hall in Slovenia, and sunken villages. Velenje is where you experience stories relating to its socialist past, mining, and, at the same time, see the hi-tech aspects of Velenje by visiting companies located in its environs. The city has more than 1,500 events per year and by far the largest children’s festival in the area: Pika’s festival. |
|
Town of Miercurea-Ciuc/Csikszereda, Romania |
| Miercurea Ciuc is a town situated in the heart of Transylvania, Romania, where nature's beauty intertwines harmoniously with the vibrant spirit of the community. The city takes immense pride in its commitment to fostering green spaces and nurturing a flourished environment. We place a srong emphasis on preserving and expanding our green areas, contributing to a healthier and more aethetically pleasing urban landscape. Out dedication to environmental sustainability in evident in the numerous parks, gardens, and public spaces adorned with an array of vibrant flowers that grace our town throughout the year. We belive that city's character is shaped by its commitment to preserving nature, and Miercurea Ciuc is no exception. Our green initiatives extend beyond the mere aesthetics, playing a vital role in creating a welcoming and harmonious atmosphere for both residents and visitors alike. From meticulously landscaped parks offering serene retreats to the lively bursts of color provided by our diverse range of flowers, Miercurea Ciuc stands as a testament to the town's dedication to a greener, more vibrant future. The town's flourishing greenery serves as a source of pride, and we continually strive to enhance and expand these areas for the benefit of our community. In addition to our commitment to green spaces, Miercurea Ciuc eagerly ebraces oppurtunities such as the Entente Florale Europe Award Scheme. We view this as chance to not only showcase out town's natural beauty but also to connect with other European communities dedicated to creating and maintaining blooming urban environments. |
|
City of Debrecen, Hungary |
| Debrecen serves as Eastern Hungary’s commercial, administrative, cultural, and educational center. The atmosphere in Hungary’s second largest city is special due to the rhythm of life of the locals, the inviting calmness of its colorful, spacious squares, the buildings conceived in a variety of architectural styles. As the centre of the region Debrecen is both a cosy and modern metropolis sensitive to its environment and a traditional city conscious of its outstanding cultural and historic heritage. In addition to the internationally renowned annual Debrecen Flower Parade on August 20, the whole year is packed chock-full with boisterous festivals of cultural and gastronomic interest. The nation’s first designated conservation area, the Nagyerdő (the Great Forest) is located in the city. Debrecen is a place where state-of-the-art metropolitan facilities are in close proximity to the peace and serenity of nature. |
|
Town of Zalakaros, Hungary |
| Zalakaros is surrounded by a spectacular natural environment, and is located adjacent to the area called “Little Balaton”, about 20 kilometres distance from Lake Balaton (the biggest lake in Central- Europe), in a straight line. Our town is one of the most popular touristic attractions of the region Gorgeous Plants and Flowers are seen everywhere in the town, including the Cana lily, which is the town's symbol. The diverse environment featuring woods, hillside vineyards and the Kis- Balaton Valley provide a unique landscape, fresh air as well as a scene for excursions and sporting to our visitors. The town is decorated with flowers from early spring to late fall; this is why it has won the titles of “Hungary’s most flowered city” twice and “Europe's flower City”. The town’s number one attraction is the hot spring, which awaits visitors in the Zalakaros Spa, with over 50-years history as a remedial complex, where families and guests of all ages are welcome throughout the entire year. |
|
Town of Vlčany (Farkasd), Slovakia |
| The town of Vlčany (Farkasd) is situated in southern Slovakia, on the right side of the river Váh. It has a population of 3,150. Due to its natural features and other facilities, the village has been inhabited for more than 1,000 years. The old watercourse of the river Váh that crossed the village has been transformed into several small ponds suitable for sports. They also provide pleasant scenery and comfortable climate for the townspeople. The town center has several squares and parks, with monuments at the central points of these spaces. In the recent past, three parks have been renovated to combat climate change by damming the water. The flowerbeds were adorned with tens of thousands of various flowers and plants, and numerous ornamental trees were planted. The parks were also equipped with benches, refuse bins and kickstands to provide an ideal place for relaxation. The parks are partially lined with new watercourses known as bioswales. Along the main road passing through the village, more than 400 trees were planted, providing a pleasant sight for both locals and the passersby. The local government places great emphasis on cleanliness of the beds and edges of local ponds, trenches and other public places, and is confident about creating and renovating more parks and public areas in the future to make them usable and enjoyable for the residents. |
|
Town of Carlow, Ireland |
| Carlow Town is strategically located in the heart of the South-East of Ireland. The Town stands at the confluence of the Burrin and Barrow rivers with the beautiful Town Park adjacent to the latter with its unique landscaping and design which can be enjoyed by both residents and visitors. Tradition has it that the junction of the two rivers once formed four lakes. The rivers are an excellent recreational and amenity resource for community wellbeing and visitors alike. The name ‘Carlow’ means Four Lakes. The Town is known for its international influence in cultural and arts innovation exemplified by the Visual Arts Centre and George Bernard Shaw Theatre located in the splendid grounds of Carlow College (St. Patrick’s College) which is driven by a thriving arts and craft community, a long and lively tradition of Irish language use and culture events such as the Carlow Arts Festival and the Pan Celtic Festival. It is becoming increasingly diverse in respect of nationalities, ethnicity and languages, which enhance its vibrancy. Carlow is a university town with the recent establishment of South-East Technological University. |
|
Village of Ballinahown, Ireland |
| Ballinahown, nestled in Co. Westmeath, is located on the river Worm. Its name in Irish, Baile na hAbhainn, translates as ‘Town on the River’. Surrounded by beautiful bogland, river and verdant landscapes, the village presents an idyllic environment, which is enriched by its traditional Irish architecture. The village epitomizes a harmonious blend of natural beauty, cultural richness and a steadfast commitment to sustainability. The village’s development is meticulously planned with a holistic focus on the local community, with the benefits including our many festivals and events for all ages to our more permanent amenities, such as our biodiversity park. From locally made and sourced elements in its shops to initiatives promoting environmental awareness, Ballinahown stands as a model for sustainable living, creating a destination where the beauty of nature and the preservation of culture coexist in harmony for an enriching and eco-conscious visitor experience. |
|
Village of Meinheim, Germany |
| Meinheim is located in the nature reserve "Altmühltal", which extends from the Altmühl wetlands (410m NHN) to the uplands of the Franconian Jura (650 m NHN). Hence the village is enclosed within a diversified landscape with a wide range of distinct and special features e.g. the stone causeway. Voluntary civic initiatives have been a particular strength of Meinheim. Already 10 years ago, a district heating scheme which functions as a registered co-operative was founded. Following on from this, a fibre glass company, majority-owned by the community, was established. Extensive residential PV systems, a recently installed PV power plant and 5 biogas plants are generating more than 16 times the power consumption requirements of the village. Meinheim's active club activities have been outstanding. A diverse range of cultural and sporting events attract many guests. Children are cared for in the new day-care centre, in the Kindergarten and in the primary school (first and second class) and are educated locally in the village up to the age of 8. The elderly are pleased with the mobile nursing service as well with the private carpooling system. A variety of businesses, a fully supported brownfield regeneration project, the protection of the Franconian built environment, the care of the history of the village as reflected in the new community centre and finally the study "Meinheim 2039", all together complete the wide-ranging and varied aspects of Meinheim. |
|
Town of Höxter, Germany |
| The 1.200-year-old half-timbered settlement presents itself as a town on the water and a place with history, not least through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Corvey. Rose beauties, rare perennials and almost forgotten vegetables, medicinal herbs and medicinal plants grow in the monastery garden. A sunken medieval city is made visible in the archaeological park. The famous surgeon from the Weser once practiced here - one of the first ophthalmologists ever. Along the lush Weser meadow, we pass the lily valley and a natural fence made of willow branches. A little further along the landscape, you rest in the sun high above the wide river stream. On the promenade, steps reach down to the water. Children immerse themselves in the world of the Middle Ages and fairy tales in three extraordinary playgrounds. In the “Weserbogen”, an old sawmill becomes an adventure land with a 17-meter-high climbing tower. |
|
Town of Písek, Czech Republic |
| Písek is a royal town in South Bohemia founded in the mid-13th century. The Otava River flowing through its spanned by a Stone bridge, the oldest preserved in the Czech Republic. Modern architecture has been added to the historical buildings. Thanks to a large number of schools and many cultural events, the town is alive with an inspiring spirit and is nicknamed the 'Athens of South Bohemia'. Písek participates in the European Climate Neutrality Project, uses elements of blue-green infrastructure, is devoted to floral decoration and plants a large number of trees every year. The surrounding countryside is full of ponds and forests, giving Písek the nickname 'the town in a sea of forests'. The nearby Písek Hills offer the recreational potential of a suburban forest with many nature trails and a lookout tower. Písek is a town that combines history, culture and nature, making it an ideal place to live. |
|
Village of Choruisce, Czech Republic |
| The village of Chorušice is a rural village consisting of 4 parts of the municipality – Chorušice, Choroušky, Velký Újezd and Zahájí. The number of inhabitants of all 4 parts has been growing slightly since 1990, currently 550, 43% of the houses are used for recreation. The village has been agriculturally oriented since time immemorial, there is no industry in the area, with the development of technologies in agriculture. The village fulfils a residential and partly recreational function, it is adjacent to the attractive tourist region of Kokořínsko – Mácha. Baroque Chorušice has become a regional pilgrimage site, there are many cultural monuments and the village is associated with the activities of the partisan group National Avenger. The village in last decades has been very active in environmental topics. Preservation and development of the landscape and green infrastructure in the settlement are main priorities today. Many public spaces have been restored, with reference to the traditional character of the landscape. Numerous projects have been realised, focused on green infrastructure in the adjacent landscape and on the improvement of the water regime here. |
|
