St. Polten - the most recent winner of The Prize of Europe

This year, from 6 to 8 of September, Mayor of Częstochowa Wiesław Maras, who fulfills the function of the chairperson of The Association of Towns Awarded The Europe Prize, represented the cities in St. Polten, Austria.

“Is it necessary to dread the European Union widening?” – a paper of W. Maras, Mayor of Częstochowa during the symposium in St. Polten

On 26 of April, during the session in Strassburg, The Prize of Europe Sub-comission awarded the Prize of Europe 2001 to the Austrian city St. Polten.

St. Polten is the capital of Lower Austria District, has 50.000 citizens and co-operates with the following twin towns: Kurashiki in Japan, Clichy in France, Heidenheim in Germany, Altoona in the USA and Brno in The Czech Republic. Furthermore, the city chairs and co-ordinates the work of the European towns network association, which includes 26 towns. Attempts have been made for Leszno, a Polish town, to gain membership in the network.

St. Polten was awarded The Diploma of Europe in 1995, The Flag in 1996 and The Plaquette in 1999. This year it has been granted the highest prize, namely the Prize of Europe.

During the ceremonies in St. Polten. From left to right: F. Adamczyk (Chairman of the Europe Prize Commission of the Council of Europe), W. Maras (Mayor of Częstochowa), W. Gruber (Mayor of St. Polten), prof. B. Coudenhove-Kelergi, dr. A. Gusenbauer, B. Zierer (Council of Europe Deputies), E. Barsi-Pataky (Ambassador of Hungary in Austria), prof.. S. Nasko (Chairman of the St. Polten City Council)

On 6 of September, on the occasion of awarding the Prize of Europe, a seminar about expanding The European Union took place in a former synagogue. The seminar was chaired by prof. dr Siegfried Nasko, the president of The City Council. Different lectures were presented by Willi Gruber, the mayor of St. Polten, Etelka Barsi-Pataky, the ambassador of Hungary in Austria, dr Alfred Gisenbauer, the deputy of The Council of Europe, Benno Zierer, the deputy of The Council of Europe. Wiesław Maras, mayor of Częstochowa, on behalf of candidates to the European Union gave a presentation on the following topic: ‘Should one be afraid of expanding the EU?’

On 7 of September, at 10 o'clock, the general meeting of The City Council took place. Local authorities, councilors, representatives of the twin cities and representatives of The Council of Europe participated in the said meeting.

dr. Walter Schwimmer, Secretary General of the Council of Europe and Wiesław Maras, Mayor of Częstochowa

During a conversation with Walter Schwimmer - the General Secretary of The Council of Europe, Wiesław Maras acquainted him with actions undertaken by The Association of Towns Awarded The Europe Prize. He said that it had become a tradition that the General Meeting was accompanied by a common debate and reflections about a partcular topic important for all the cities. He also metntioned forums of young people, the presidium meeting in Klagenfurt, which is being prepared, and the closest general meeting in Bursa. He also expressed his hope that The Council of Europe would continue to support the actions of The Association of Towns Awarded The Europe Prize.

At 6 o’clock p.m., at the square in front of the Townhall, an official ceremony of passing the Prize of Europe to the town of St.Polten started. The ceremony was conducted by Daniela Zeller, an Austrian radio presenter. After the speech of Willi Gruber, the mayor of St. Polten, Wiesław Maras, on behalf of 56 awarded cities, expressed his congratualtions, welcomed St. Polten in the exclusive group of the awrded cities, and hoped that a new winner of the prize will actively contribute to the work of the Association. The mayor of St.Polten received a pergamin letter, a medal and a cheque for 50.000 FF from Franciszek Adamczyk, the chairperson of the Prize of Europe Sub-comission. The Trophy was given to mayor Grubner by Jean Roujon, the mayor of Marvejols and by Erich Nicholson, the mayor of Cockermouth, last year winners of The Prize of Europe. After the official ceremony, The Young People’s European Music Night started and was followed by a fireworks show.