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In
addition to the Zadar representatives there were fifty-five delegates
from member towns in Austria, Croatia, England, France, Germany,
Republic of Ireland, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, Northern Ireland,
Slovenia and Wales, together with observers from Hungary.
Before
the formal opening of the Symposium, the Executive Committee held its
second meeting of the year, the first being at Bergues, France, in
April.
The
opening session was introduced by Mr Tomislav Skracic, the president
of the Organising Committee. Delegates were welcomed by Mr Bozidar
Kalmeta, the Mayor of Zadar and Vice President of the WTFC for 1999.
Mr Bozo Biskupic, the Minister of Culture for the Republic of Croatia
and Mr Velimir Simicic, the Deputy Minister for Tourism, as patrons,
added their welcome and good wishes for a successful occasion.
They,
and the town of Zadar, were thanked by Mr Peter Osborne, President of
the WTFC, on behalf of the Circle.
The
theme chosen for the 1999 Symposium was "Living in and within the
Walls". The working sessions were taken up by a programme of
lectures, discussions and workshops, presented by a team of
distinguished academics and specialists from Croatia itself and from
Italy, France and the Netherlands.
Opening
with the history of Zadar and its walls, its cultural identity and the
problems of living with and for tourism, the studies went on to
consider Dubrovnik and Trogir, also in Croatia, and Naarden, one of
the original members of the Circle. In more general terms, Pier Luigi
Fantelli, one of the promoters of the Veneto Walled Towns Association,
reflected on walled towns and European networks and Jean-Paul Foulhoux,
Director of the Department of Culture of Romans, discussed whether a
fortified city has a future compatible with modern urbanisation. The
workshops included the question of walls in town planning and the
study of tourism in the University of Zadar.
In
addition to these study sessions, delegates visited, in Zadar, the
Episcopal complex, the outstanding Museum of Archaeology and the
Exhibition of Sacral Art. They were also received by the authorities
of the nearby walled towns of Nin and Trogir, with tours of their
historic buildings and museums.
Four
new member towns were enrolled, bringing the total to near 150. In
addition, one walled city outside Europe had sought membership; X'ian,
in China; the home of the Terracotta Army but also with a complete
wall, 14 km in length and a population of 6.5 million; in contrast,
the Circle's smallest member boasts a population of 70.
The
Veneto Region and Venetian Walled Towns Association was represented at
the Symposium and reported on its recent and future activities. It is
planning a series of study tours. In larger walled towns the aim will
be to exploit the cultural resources and, in the smaller, which often
have walls in excellent condition, to stimulate school visits and the
appreciation of this part of their cultural heritage in the younger
generation. For all walled towns in the Link, they aim to encourage
access to European Community projects concerned with the protection
and enhancement of town walls. A guide to historical and cultural
itineraries is in preparation and the Association will contribute a
page to the WTFC web site as well as creating its own.
This
very active and influential Association of linked walled towns is an
excellent example of the value of such co-operation and mutual
promotion within regional groupings under the umbrella of the WTFC.
The
final session of the Symposium was taken up with the Annual General
Meeting, the minutes of which will be circulated. However, it included
the election of the next President of the WTFC, who will take office
at the year 2000 Symposium at Tenby. He is Mr John Price of Chester,
host city to the 1997 Symposium.
The
Symposium in 2001 will be in Friesach, Austria, and in 2002, at Elvas,
Portugal. Applications are now invited for subsequent years, under the
new selection procedures and member towns / cities can apply for the
Application Form.
In
addition to the formal programme and study sessions, the Symposium has
an important social side, where delegates make and cement personal
friendships. The visits to Nin and Trogir included concerts and
dinners and the final social occasion was the traditional Friendship
Dinner, at which some delegates make symbolic presentations to their
host.
Before
the Friendship Dinner, delegates were treated to a spectacular open
air performance of 'Mountains' by Petar Zaranic; a sixteenth century
verse celebration of the author's Croatian homeland.
This
was followed by the formal hand over of the WTFC flag, by Mr Joso
Malta, to the safe keeping of the Town Council of Tenby. It was
received by Mr Wilfred Hardy, representing the Mayor.
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