Rzeszow is a place highly valued by its residents in terms of quality of life. They openly acknowledge that it is a clean, safe, convenient city, which provides life-time stability and satisfaction coming from personal and professional development.
Rzeszow is the seat of the Aviation Valley, the biggest aviation cluster in Poland, with more than 150 companies representing the industry. The largest plant is Pratt & Whitney Rzeszow (formerly WSK „PZL-Rzeszow”), specializing in the production of aircraft engines. The chemical industry - ICN Polfa, Sanofi-Aventis, IT sector - Asseco Poland SA as well as packaging - Marma Polskie Folie, are also developing in the city. In Rzeszow, companies like Zelmer and Nestle (formerly Alima-Gerber) also have their headquarters.
In Rzeszow there are two volleyball clubs with men’s team - Asseco Resovia Rzeszow and women’s team - Developers Rzeszow, which in 2017 won the bronze medal in the Poland’s championship competition. Asseco Resovia Rzeszow is a seven-time Polish champion, three-time Polish Cup winner and a Polish Super Cup winner. Volleyball has become a „national sport” in Rzeszow, matches taking place in the Regional Sports and Entertainment Centre Jan Strzelczyk „Podpromie” are attended by nearly 4,000 supporters. Thanks to planned extension of the hall, it will soon be able to accommodate 7 thousand spectators.
Another sport that is of great importance for the capital of Podkarpackie Province is speedway. Speedway races have taken place at the „Stal” City Stadium in Rzeszow since the 1950s. Speedway Stal Rzeszow has won the title of Polish Champion twice. Rzeszow is a place of numerous festivals and cultural events. The World Festival of Polish Folk Ensembles organized here every three years since 1969 has been permanently incorporated into the cultural map of the city. During the festival, troupes from all over the world come to Rzeszow. Another significant festival is the Rzeszow Carpathia Festival , which has been organized since 2005. During the four days of the festival, young singers and music bands present their skills. The East of Culture festival - European Stadium of Culture, which takes place yearly by the end of June. As part of the festival, we could see and listen to such stars as Guano Apes, White Lies, The Fratellis, Coma, T.Love, Myslovitz and many others. The biggest audience is attracted by collective concertsts - joint performances of Polish bands with guests from the east, from such countries as Ukraine, Belarus or Armenia.
The City of Nyíregyháza
The first written mention of Nyíregyháza dates back to 1209, but it is the 1870’s since the city has been growing rapidly. Nyíregyháza locates in East Hungary and is the Seat of Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg county. It is one of the most important cities of the North-East of the country, in all respects a centre of the region. It is a City with County Rights, with close to 120,000 inhabitants, making it the 7th biggest cities of Hungary.
According to the latest statistics, while the overall ageing is significant in the country, Nyíregyháza - in contrast with other bigger cities - becomes slightly younger over the years. The settlement, locating within 90 km distance from the border of the Slovak Republic, Ukraine and Romania, is also a multi-modal transport hub.
As regards to the economic life, Nyíregyháza attracts several multinational companies such as Michelin, Hübner, Lego, Eissmann and Contitech providing great support for the city’s economy. It is safe to say that our budget is balanced, in which big corporations have significant contribution. Having created two industrial parks, Nyíregyháza is a production centre of the region. As a new engine of the local economy the city has doubled it touristic figures both in guest nights and tourist arrivals over the past 7 years, making a shortage in hotel vacancies.
As for soft elements, Nyíregyháza is a dynamically developing stronghold, an engine of the region’s educational and cultural life. It is a city of universities, providing home to three different higher education institutions. It is a sporty place. Locals love their volleyball, handball, basketball and of course its football teams. Churches, especially the Lutheran, Catholic and the Calvinist ones are very well represented in the city’s social and spiritual life. It is no exaggeration, that we are also a city of festivals, giving home to major music, theatrical, gastronomic or sport events.
All in this lively place the local municipality fulfills organizer, facilitator, owner and operator roles. It provides various kind of allowances and supports, maintains services and institutions of a wide range. To do it properly, assessing the local’s needs is constant. Just to name the most important ones: (Equal Opportunities Programme; Programme for Elderly People; Programme for People with Disabilities; Conception of Social Cervices) are all examples for monitoring what people truly request. In this process, the municipality does not want to act independently, but involves churches and civil organizations trusting in their specific experience. Of course development does not come without projects, that is why Nyíregyháza is always eagerly seeking opportunities to make local’s life better.
After all what Nyíregyháza truly is? It is a place where people are proud of their history, and value the city’s gifts. The Museum Village is where you truly get to know the region’s unique heritage. Sóstó, with its unique atmosphere hosts thermals spas is a perfect place to relax. Sóstó Zoo-Europe’s Best Zoo, is a must-to-see attraction. With us, doing sports comes more naturally than only watching it. The locals are hard – working people who do not avoid but welcome challenges. It is place where there is always something to do. A city, very easy to fall in love with.
The City of Stropkov
The first written mention of the town dates back to the year 1404. Stropkov is situated in the northern part of East Slovakia, in the valley of the Ondava river. The town is surrounded by the Nízke Beskydy mountains that belong to the outer Carpathian flysh belt characterized by Paleogene mudstones and sandstones.
Indrustry Industry of the town is represented mainly by TESLA Stropkov. The factory has a dominant position in the region and has a significant position in the Prešov region. Their business is the development, manufacturing, sale and service of telecommunication technology products, automotive and plastics processing. Engineering industry, especially in the field of metalworking and manufacturing containers, is also developed in Stropkov. There are also many business companies operating in building indrustry, crafts and trades, woodprocessing industry and small mechanical engineering firms.
Tourist attractions Tourism development is a priority in Stropkov and its surroundings. You can find an attractive natural setting with mineral springs, the rich flora and fauna, a great number of interesting historical and cultural sights and the sports and recreational services near the town. Excellent recreational and water sports conditions are provided by recreational resorts at the nearby reservoir of Domaša. The region provides several fishing opportunities and is a well-known mushroom picking locality, too. There is an outdoor and indoor swimming pool, a sports hall, tennis courts, an ice rink. One of the most attractive places for tourists is a ZOO Park in the centre of town. The rich offer of cultural events is represented by the summer Market of Stropkov, Days of honey in autumn, Christmas markets and several subregional sports events. In the district of Stropkov there is the village of Tokajík. It is famous for the 1944´s war tragedy where a cemetery and a WW II. victim memorial has been built. The region of Stropkov was an important area of WW I. fights, too. In the village of Velkrop there is the largest military cemetary in the Middle Europe. North-east of Slovakia and Polish border is also known as the region of historical wooden churches. In the district of Stropkov there is also the village of Miková, where the parents of the PopArt founder Andy Warhol, came from.
Historical sightseeings Dating back to the turn of the 14th century, the Gothic Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ church is Stropkov’s most significant cultural and historical sight. The church and the nearby Gothic and Renaissance manor house used to be a part of the former castle of Stropkov. The Franciscan monastery is also an interesting sight dating back to the 17th century, with a paradise garden and the Way of the Cross, the Baroque building of the Slúžnovský dom (Magistrate House), or an Art Nouveau mansion in the southern part of the town. The new Greek Catholic Sts Cyril and Methodius temple, built in the Byzantine style in 1947, is an another significant construction. A Jewish cemetery with interesting tombstones may be found in the village of Tisinec.
FACTS District: Stropkov County: Presovsky kraj Region: Upper Zemplin Altitude: 202 m a.s.l. Area: 24,668 km2 Population: 10 476 (in 31/12/2015) Population density: 435 inhabitants/km2
The City of Satu Mare
General Information Located just 20-minutes from the border with Hungary, Satu Mare is the gateway to Transylvania for travelers coming from Central and Western Europe. The City of Satu Mare is also the seat of county with the same name, being its most important economic, administrative, educational and cultural center. Due to its role in the region, The City of Satu Mare it is one of the most representative towns in Transylvania. A city that inspires, quiet, authentic and reflective of people that live here. The City of Satu Mare is prepared to welcome guests and provide relaxation opportunities for both young and old. The city also has many opportunities for entrepreneurs who want to develop or already develops business near the border with Hungary or other Western European countries. Satu Mare has a total population of 102.411 inhabitants (INSSE, 2011), representing around 30% of the county´s population and 3,7 % of that of the Nord-West Region of Romania. Reporting the number of the city's inhabitants to it's surface, results a density of 681,37 inhabitans/km². It is a multicultural town with many ethnical groups: 54,2% Romanians, 34,61% Hungarians, and 1,02 % Germans and 9,86 % other ethnic groups.
Satu Mare has his twin-cities: Wolfenbüttel - Germany, Zutphen - Netherlands Rzezow – Poland, Nyiregyháza - Hungary, Beregovo – Ukraine
History Archaeological evidence shows settlements in the area dating to the Stone Age and the Bronze Age; there is also proof that the Geto-Dacian communities continued to inhabit this region after the Roman conquest in 105-106. The city was first mentioned in 1181 as Castrum Zotmar, a fortified stronghold from which the town derives its name. Tree or four decades ago, Satu Mare was celebrated as millennial town- reaching the age of one thousand since its documentary attestation. The first of the 34 historical names was given by Queen Gisele, the German wife of the Saint King Stefan. The most appropriate name seems to be the German Salzmarkt (salt market). Szatmar, Szotmar or Zotmar, whatever the name, one thing is certain - it was always a beautiful place. Nature gave its charm, and from thevariety of cultures - 3-4-5-6 nationalities were always living here - a spirit of tolerance was born. Situated on the banks of a navigable river - the Someș- the trade turned into hospitality.
Economy The River Someș divides the town in two parts - the old town is on the right bank and on the left there are the residential districts Micro 14, 15, 16. At the Cluj exit of the town there is the Industrial Park with possibility of extension from 74 ha to 100 ha in 2018. The companies renting are working on automotive, electronic, and furniture industry. Satu Mare benefits also of an international airport which was recently renovated. The South Industrial Park was realized in 2005 with EU founds, positioned strategically in the southern part of the city near the airport, the railway station and national road which goes to Cluj-Napoca. Positioned at the eastern gate of the European Union, the advantage of Satu Mare is that it opens a wide Eastern European market. Since 2014 over 1000 companies with foreign capital contributed to the economic investments in the county and in the municipality. The economical profile of Satu Mare shows that industry occupies a second position with a weight 13,73%, the first place being occupied by trade with 32,36%, and after industry is ranked with 9,24% the construction sector, followed by transports with 9,06% and tourism with 6,14%. The industrial activities of Satu Mare is diversified, including a wide range of domains such us: auto equipment and auto components, electronically components, plastic materials, metal constructions, food industry or clothing. The industrial activities are developing mainly on industrial platforms some of them being organized as industrial parks. The City of Satu Mare also operates as a seasonal health resort of local interest, with mineral waters springs indicated to treating and healing rheumatism, post-trauma and dermatological illnesses. The city has a developed school network that includes over 40 schools and kindergartens and four higher education institutions. Every school and kindergarten teaches foreign languages and specialists form in every professional field. Culture Satu Mare is also the cultural and educational centre of the county, having a rich cultural life and a network of cultural institutions consisting of theatres, philharmonic, concert halls, art galleries, museums and public libraries. The cultural life of Satu Mare includes annual editions of folk festivals, of theatre, music and poetry festivals, some of them being international too. The most important socio-cultural events are: the City's Days (May), Partium Days (August), the Swabians Folk Festivals (October), Satu Mare Musical Days, Samfest International Jazz , Samfest
The City of Svidnik
At present the town of Svidník with almost 12000 inhabitants is a natural administrative, economic, cultural, recreational and sports center of the region. There is an important international road leading through the town of Svidník to Vysny Komarnik – Barwinek which is the biggest border crossing from the Slovak Republic to Poland. There is also an airport built on the edge of town of Svidník. The town's biggest companies are SVIK Ltd. and PSS, a.s. Nowadays the development of business enterprising and private business is expanding especially in manufacturing industry, trade and services and agriculture. While in the past the health care in the town of Svidník was provided by one or two doctors, now there is a modern hospital and a polyclinic medical center that was opened in 1981.
In the town there are four public primary schools, Specialized Primary Boarding School, St. George Primary School (church school), Elementary School of Arts and seven secondary schools – Secondary Grammar School of Dukla Heroes, Secondary Vocational School of Clothing Industry, United School – Business Academy, United School – Hotel Academy, Blessed Mother Teresa Grammar School, Secondary Medical Church School of Good Samaritan and as well as Secondary Vocational School of Clothing Industry of Army General L. Svoboda and Secondary Technical School. There are also other primary and secondary schools in the town of Giraltovce and other villages on the region.
Besides the two museums (SNM – The Museum of Ukrainian Culture and The Military Museum) found in Svidník there is also The County State Archive keeping valuable resources and documents from the period in between 1918 - 1990. The Dukla Library in Svidník being the first in Slovakia implements the Holland-Slovak project of Biblio-Buses and its mobile system of borrowing library items. In the summer time the nationwide Festival of Ruthenian-Ukrainian Culture of Slovakia is the most attractive for tourists. It is being held in the local open-air amphitheatre since 1956.
The town and surrounding villages are not characterized by noble and artistically rich secular buildings, all the more sacral, brick and wood in particular buildings fully reflect the local genius of folk architecture. Eleven wooden churches of the Eastern Rite in the region, mostly in Eastern part of Slovakia, are in the category of national cultural monuments.
Some churches of the Eastern Orthodox Church and Roman Catholic churches and actually peasant farming buildings of wooden folk architecture as well have been declared for cultural monuments. Other national cultural monuments are the Dukla Memorial of Czechoslovak Army and the surrounding park and the Red Army Memorial with its cemeteries. In Hunkovce there is the cemetery of fallen German soldiers in World War II.
Above the open-air amphitheatre in Svidník there is open-air ethnography exposition SNM-ŠMUK – the Skanzen (open-air museum). Other cultural monuments include the manor house built in 1795 and the building of the district court which is now the residence of the Dukla Tutorial Centre. It is the functional building from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries with the predominance of neoclassical elements. There is another building from the 19th century in the centre of the town specifically the original building of the permanent exposition of the Museum of Rusyn-Ukrainian Culture.
The statue of Army General Ludvík Svoboda, being the only one in Central Europe, dominates the city centre. There are other architectural landmarks such as two Orthodox Catholic Churches restored in 1993 – 1996, Holy Trinity Eastern Orthodox Church built from August 1993 to August 1994 and the Sacred Heart of Jesus Roman Catholic Church ordained in July 1996.
At the present time there are ongoing works on the reconstruction and city development. There was a bridge built between the two housing estates Dukla and Utra in 2003. Part of the building of new house of culture was completed and it is the residence of branch offices of Employment, Social and Family Matters Department and Slovenská Sporiteľňa a.s. (the bank). In Svidník, sports enthusiasts can enjoy themselves on tennis courts and in outdoor summer swimming pools.
The region around Svidník is not so big however it was represented by some great personalities. Among the prominent personalities we can mention Dionýz Ilkovič – the Academician of SAV (Slovak Academy of Science) a native of Šarišský Štiavnik, František Gibala – the physicist, the co-founder of polarography, the Academic sculptor - a native of Krajná Poľana and Laur - Vasiľ Škurla – the bishop of the Eastern Orthodox Church a native of Ladomirova working in the USA. The prominent communist politician Vasiľ Biľak was born in Krajná Bystrá. The national artist - the painter Dezider Milly - also worked in Svidník. His artworks and paintings can be found in a gallery bearing his name. The region surrounding the town of Svidník provides opportunities of getting to know and understand the folk traditions and customs, the artwork of painting the Easter eggs as well as it provides good conditions for hiking on marked pathways, camping, biking, mototourism, swimming in summer and skiing in winter as well as sledging. The forests are full of various forest fruits and other forest food.
The City of Presov
The city of Prešov is the third largest city in Slovakia. It is the only city in Slovakia through which the 49th parallel passes. Prešov is a city of many epithets, e. g. Athens on the Torysa, The Slovak Seattle, or Little Vienna, but the people are what make this city so beautiful.
Together, let us wander through the old alleys, squares and old parks, breathing in the rich history of this city while we think back to the fateful events of centuries past. We can explore the historical centre, enjoy a refreshing cup of coffee right in the city square, or sip on hot mead at the Christmas market under romantic street lights.
In any season of the year, the atmosphere in Prešov breathes friendliness and relaxation, since Prešov offers numerous leisure opportunities not only right in the centre, but also in the surroundings and the wider area.
We believe our city will find a place in your hearts. We are looking forward to seeing you soon!
The City of Lviv
Lviv
The City of Lutsk
Lutsk is one of the largest cities of Western Ukraine with more than 215 thousand inhabitants. Its location near the borders of Poland and Belarus, and also on international automobile and rail routes, plays an important role in the development of foreign economic activity of the city.
Lutsk is one of the most ancient cities of Ukraine with a history covering about 1000 years. The first written record of the city, from which citizens count all the town’s birthdays, is dated 1085. Over the centuries many different people and cultures have lived in Lutsk: Polish, Lithuanian, Armenian, Jewish, German, Czech. Various churches and religion lived in harmony here.
Both in Ukraine and abroad Lutsk is known for its cultural events. At any time of the year you can enjoy the unique presentations of numerous actions that take place here. Lutsk is a city of festivals, fairs and knights’ tournaments. Lutsk is the most important center of the cultural life of Volyn. It is a city of recognized artists and fans of culture, with knowledgeable and exacting audiences. Here you can find 4 theaters, a philharmonic hall, the Palace of Culture, and numerous museums and galleries.
The cultural program of the city is extremely full – concerts, performances, exhibitions, meetings, round tables and other actions throughout the year – artistic life in Lutsk rages. The large number of cultural events allows inhabitants and city visitors to escape the ordinary and to plunge into the world of the sublime. Lutsk is not only rich in historical and architectural monuments and cultural events. The city is also an important modern industrial center.
Lutsk is a Ukrainian city where the present and the past closely intertwine and today’s reality peacefully coexists with myths and legends and with the city’s true history. It is a city where ancient stone bricks, shutters of ancient houses, and walls of ancient buildings retain the breath of history. Lutsk is cozy, elegant and romantic; welcomes with its sincerity and hospitality, its live and easy mood, and its unique charm.
The City of Ivano-Frankiwsk
Ivano-Frankivsk is one of the most famous economic, cultural and industrial centers of Western Ukraine. The city area is 83,73 sq. km, the population is more than 250 thousand people. Good geographical location of Ivano-Frankivsk creates favorable conditions for the versatile development and European integration.
The external activities of the city are determined by the partnership agreements with 23 foreign twin-cities, among which are the cities of Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Romania, Belarus, Lithuania, Latvia and the USA, as well as the Chrzanowski County (Powiat Chrzanowski, Republic of Poland). For the promotion of European values Ivano-Frankivsk has received three high awards of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe – the European diploma, and the Honorary flag and plaque. Ivano-Frankivsk City takes a leading position in terms of comfort living among the cities of Ukraine. The City is positively assessed for the quality of local authorities services, city infrastructure, ensuring the level of cultural needs, level of health care, employment and unemployment, opportunity to receive higher education, ecological state of the city and other indicators that determine the quality of life. According to the study of Ukraine State Statistics Service, Ivano-Frankivsk is the most secure and safe city for living. The lowest crime in Ukraine is marked in Ivano-Frankivsk City. Enterprises of food, machine-building, woodworking, chemical, light, construction and other industries are successfully developing in the city. A positive investment climate, existing in the city for many years, contributes to a successful activity of enterprises with foreign investments, such as “Electrolux Ukraine” LLC, “Tyco Electronics Ukraine Limited” LLC, and the state-owned manufacturing enterprise “Carpathians” (project Delphi), “Imperovo Foods” LLC. One of the priorities in the city economy is the development of a small business, which is an important source of increasing the city budget, creating jobs and attracting investments. Ivano-Frankovsk has a distinct competitive advantage that is a high level of education, science and culture of the population. 18% of the residents are the students who study at higher education institutions of I-IV accreditation levels: 5 universities, three of which have national status – The Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University, The Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University, The Ivano-Frankivsk National Technical University of Oil and Gas, 5 institutes and technical schools, 9 vocational schools.