10th Annual ESCO conference September 16-19, 2010 Taujenai, Lithuania

10th Annual ESCO conference
 September 16-19, 20010

Taujenai, Lithuania

ESCO activity report for year 2010

     Organization jubilee year - 10th Anniversary - all of us associated with a major crisis, not only from its seat - Latvia, Saicele, but in fact at all countries around the world. It is precisely this situation, and yet, on the basis of some objective factors, the five member cities, unfortunately, failed to appear for a conference Taijenai, Lithuania - (Busk, Ukraine, Komarovce, Slovakia, Luka nad Jihlavou, Czech Republic, Stolin, Belarus, Kongaz, Moldova).
But this time we, in turn, was a genuine pleasure to welcome new members to our organization: Neveronys (Lithuania) - the small town of about 4,000 people. Already a year the black stork is their coat of arms.

     It is also fortunate in that our organization joined the Latvian Football Federation of exercise and training center "Staicele", which is very much supported by our organization, supported in order to fully complete the ESCO creation of Songs, with transport services, leasing space from the football team Storkow, meals, etc. Also, their logo included stork symbol. And yet - our organization was honored Mr. conference. Piet de Bakker (Holland), who are already at least 20 years have been fascinated with the exploration of white storks, and many different types of materials collection, compilation, issued a book on the Stork migration routes saved up a wide and varied exhibition of this sacred bird. Mr. Piet de Bakker itself told me that most interest him directly White Stork. He also showed the conference video on the population of storks in Holland, to stay in winter conditions in their country, as well as a purely emotional point of view - a stork migration route to Spain, as some fans expected at the Strait of Gibraltar thousands and thousands of storks. Views were really impressive and emotionally.

     Conference delegates voted for the ESCO Statute 11.1. Appendix section, below, to enable the legal entities and individuals that support ESCO organization, within the framework of its Statute, to join the organization.

     At the conference, each member cities told a little about the progress made this year, shared their experiences, talked about the successes and failures, as well as activities in which this time of year in our cities in the organization was involved in:

1) Storkow were successfully prepared for their city's 800th anniversary, the city will continue its prominent site - Tourism and Culture Center building. During the year it was attended by about 37 000 visitors. They are actively involved in organized Ramygala Ceramic Festival, was very grateful for the opportunity Storkow youth football team arrive in Staicele, which spent a tense game of friendship, young people familiar with the beautiful surroundings - North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve, became friends with the local youth. Staiceles Youth Football team was invited to the visit Storkow next year.

2) Ceramic Festival in Ramygala (Lithuania), which arranged for us for nearly all known Lyme Kiskiene. She has repeatedly tried to push through various funds, writing projects, to organize similar festivals, and this year it succeeded. In this festival, attended by experts from the ceramic Komarovces (Slovakia) and Storkow (Germany). ESCO organization also sponsored the event. Conference delegates and guests were able to witness the end of a small exhibition of the festival. Of course, that was exhibited at the small works, the larger the arrival of the works would require a major transportation operations and, consequently, - the costs.
Ramygalas Mayor Valdas Chirv told that their town this year took part in the competition for the annual cultural city, had been successful in this project and hence the year had been very rich in many cultural events - from the city so far obtained by the clean well ordered in terms of the many guests and tourists visited the city.
An innovative and exciting being developed into their contest, organized "The Most Beautiful Goat". This represents not only a lot of wit and humor, but also the capability to artisans (mint, grain milling, etc.)

3) The major event this year had managed to arrange Staicele (Latvia). Consequently, the LFF exercise and training center "Staicele" opening this spring, made it possible to organize international competitions in football - "Stork cup". The competition also honored our member cities of ESCO Storkow (Germany). They were young people between 17 - 18. First, emotional game has been arranged at 23.oo night at the spotlight. You might say that most people had arrived Staiceles support these races. Mr. J. Bakmanis, who is now not only the president of ESCO, but also LFF exercise and training center "Staicele” director also stated that Staiceles young footballers were called in to the return call Storkow next year.
This base to enter Staicele a great opportunity for urban development, tourism, prosperity, cultural life in the city as well as private business activity. A big role in cultural life and youth vocational training in playing Staiceles Music and Art School growth - it's J.Bakmanis.
This year has been successfully organized in saxophone playing creative camp festival „Brilliant Note”. Its chief organizer was Staiceles Music and art school teacher, popular with jazz groups Silvesteri Orkesteri manager Karlis Vanags. Next year will definitely be invited to participate in this event the ESCO urban participants.

4) City Demene representatives, in turn, highly appreciated for their strong support for the municipal funds management. When you start the various projects of the Soros Foundation had acquired 25 000 EUR aid. But the crisis is affecting all - almost every citizen has lost 40% of their salary. High school youth were successfully work in different competitions. One student even had acquired a silver medal in the Biology Olympiad at the European level.

ESCO Coordinator Arija Daugule:
     Last year had begun work on creating songs ESCO. Somehow it was not immediately successful. Maybe, competition regulation is not drawn quite wisely, but this year it was done! It was a surprise as the conference delegates and guests. Opening the conference, and putting the flag at ESCO Taujenai council buildings, this catchy song has been played. Towards the conclusion of the conference, this song was played again. Its text is the author Arija Bakmane. She also sings this song. Music "Song of the white and black stork" has written by a very talented and remarkable Latvian musician, composer Raimonds Macats. ESCO for each city were presented CD with music and text into English. Cities in each task to the next conference is to create a song in their own language, so that it could continue to sing all together and meeting at conferences, and other organization and the participating towns solemn moments.

     Finally, the conference hostess Elvyra Tulusiene - Taujenai (Lithuania) "mayor" first of all thanked all delegates and guests for coming to the conference. Very wished to arrange an interesting, meaningful, rich impressions - which she also fully succeeded. Ms. Tulusiene said that every two years Taujenai (Lithuania) organizing Theatre Festival. This year, the fellow from Demene and Ramygala participated in this event. During the previous youth from Staiceles were active participants in this festival, but this time the teacher did not dared to go back through much heat, unfortunately. The teacher had been raised that the specially made costumes from natural materials, woven jackets, skirts, and the whole theatrical performance staged on the ancient Livs theme, but the weather played a role.

     City Taujenai from private businesses to flourish in action. One of these firms attended the conference delegates - clothing company out of natural leathers. Could have been praised for the company to work only with eco-products. They are one of the finished product would be called "Black Stork" - the first products have already tasted the delegates.

     A few days, enjoying Taujenai municipal support, sincerity, generosity, conference delegates visited many different engaging and enjoyable, a very beautiful place, museums, saw the Ukmerges District government employees, highly evaluated by their ability to bid and make substantial progress in the European Structural funds.

     On the priorities for the forthcoming year ESCO organization believes that it is essential to cities in their cooperation in the activities organized regular mutual exchange of information and activities insertion site: www.storkcity.org, different levels of involvement in projects, to attach new members, the involvement of the organization and work with sponsors.

     On the next, 2011, ESCO conference a month still was selected - in September, but the venue will be specified.

Before raising the flag

Raising the Flag

Conference opening ceremony

Conference opening ceremony

Premiere of the new ESCO song

Listening of new ESCO song

ESCO flags on the building Taujenai City Council

Author of ESCO song A.Bakmane

Laima Kiskiene talks about the festivals of ceramics in Ramygala

Laima Kiskiene talks about the festivals of ceramics in Ramygala

Ceramic Exhibition

Ceramic stork

ESCO President J. Bakmanis and Chairman of Taujenai town council E. Tulusiene

ESCO Conferencre

ESCO Conferencre

ESCO Conferencre

Meeting with the representative of local authorities of city Ukmerge Mr. K.Stepanov

Meeting with the representative of local authorities

In the conference hall of Ukmerge District Council

Ukmerge District Council

ESCO members in a conference room

Ukmerge Town development patterns

Guide of the fire tower

In the fire tower

MUseum

The Museum of the First President of Lithuania A. Smetonas

The Museum of the First President of Lithuania A. Smetonas

Tour at Ukmerge

Piet de Bakker and mistress of the house at Ethnographic Museum

ESCO members form a loaf of bread

Demonstration of bread baking

Baking bread

Loaf before putting it in the oven

Sign in bread

Museum of horses

Museum of horses

Museum of horses

Museum of horses

Real Black-smith

At local company

At local company

Excursion to the Flesh

Cathedral Taujenai

Park of Taujenai

Park of Taujenai

Park of Castle

Castle

Evenig event

Children's Chapel Concert