- Culture and creativity project to strengthen cooperation
The cities of Kütahya and Pecs, which signed a sister city protocol in 1975, have maintained this sister city relationship for 45 years. This relationship, which has been continuing for 45 years without losing all its cordialness and sincerity, has remained only at the level of managers since it is not supported by an institutionalized program. For this reason, the desired ownership has not been created in the public eye.
In town twinning activities, one of the parties is usually the buyer who benefits from the other's experience. The example of Kütahya and Pecs, where both cities are on an equal scale, can offer an unusual program of sister cities, where both parties convey knowledge and experience to the other.
About Project
Pécs is the fifth largest city of Hungary, located on the slopes of the Mecsek mountains in the south-west of the country, close to its border with Croatia. It is the administrative and economic centre of Baranya County. Pécs is also the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pécs.
By the 4th century, it became the capital of Valeria province and a significant early Christian center. The early Christian necropolis from that era became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in December 2000.
Pécs was historically a multi-ethnic city where many cultures intermingled, creating a melting pot of different values, the rich result of 2000 years of history. In 1998 Pécs was given the UNESCO prize "Cities for Peace" for maintaining its cultural minorities, and also for its tolerant and helping attitude toward refugees of the Yugoslaw Wars. In 2010, Pécs was selected to be the European Capital of Culture alongside Essen and Istanbul. The city motto is "The Borderless City".
Located in the Aegean region of West Central Anatolia, Kütahya is known in the history of Hittite, Phrygian, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, Germaine and it reached the Republic of Turkey with the Ottoman civilization. The Hittites are the oldest known people settled in the lands within the borders of Kütahya province. Nevertheless, the archaeological finds in the vicinity lead the settlement date of the province to much earlier times. Although there is no definite establishment date for Kütahya, based on the annuals of Tuthaliya IV (1256 BC - 1220 BC). It can be said that it was founded in the middle of 2000 BC. Thanks to the rich mineral deposits which are still operated today, Kütahya has attracted attention throughout history, thus it has wide trade routes and developed rapidly.
Handicrafts form an important part of Kütahya's rich culture. In Kütahya, besides traditional handicrafts, only handicrafts unique to this region live. Especially in Kütahya tile making one of the most important centers in the world and living in Turkey. Diamond embroidery, one of our ancestor arts, is still alive today.
Cultural Strategies of Pécs, Kütahya and Sister City have been published
