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Interview Read our interview with EU Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth Mariya Gabriel on the challenges of the future EU Commissioner er explicitly stated or not, culture is Horizon Europe program and the EU part of it. Structural Funds will play a particu- Culture and cultural heritage are larly important role. Mariya Gabriel: the cornerstones of European integra- - As Commissioner responsible tion and are аn essential resources for for Education and Youth, one of Europe. 2018 was the European Year the most important programs un- The future of Cultural Heritage, and we know der your jurisdiction is Erasmus +. from research that most Europeans What are your plans for its develop- are proud of our common cultural ment in the next 5 years? heritage. They state that it is import- - Erasmus is a European success of Europe is ant for them to feel like they belong to story that has proven its added value Europe. for more than three decades. The pro- What would happen to our cities gram is an effective way of addressing and communities without their mu- many of the societal challenges fac- eCommerce Week of UNCTAD by everyone’s future UNCTAD on Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0) seums, local traditions and holidays? ing Europe. In the future, we need a What would Europe be like without bigger, stronger, better Erasmus + - Mrs. Gabriel, first of all, congratulations Erasmus + Creative Europe, European Solidar- cross-border mobility and the ex- program. We are currently negotiat- on your new appointment and best of luck ity Corps. The coming months will be crucial. change of information on culture and ing with the European Parliament at your new job. Your portfolio as Commis- Over the next five years, we need to address arts? and the Member States. I expect the sioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, several major challenges. We need to strength- That is why we must preserve next seven-year budget for the peri- Education and Youth has undergone several en support for women, especially in the field our cultural heritage as a pillar in a od 2021-2027 to double and why not changes and has increased significantly since of science. We must overcome the division world full of challenges. In this sense, triple. initially proposed. What are your expecta- between East and West in terms of excellence. the cultural dimension is crucial to We need more funding to enable a tions for your new position and how do you We must use the full potential of education, addressing the challenges of educa- wider range of people and organiza- plan to combine so many different sectors? research and culture to promote international tion, innovation, social cohesion and tions to participate in the program. - Taking on this great and important line is cooperation, especially with our neighbours in climate change, as well as regional More people with fewer opportunities, a real privilege and an honor for me. It pro- the Western Balkans. We need to preserve our and urban growth, sustainable de- including disadvantaged or disabled vides tremendous opportunities for our SMEs, cultural heritage as a pillar in an increasingly velopment. We need to work hard for persons, should be able to take ad- start-ups and start-ups to develop and create unpredictable world. Sport is also very import- the EU’s political agenda for inclu- vantage of the prospects offered. We innovation. It is also an opportunity for our ant as a means of promoting inclusion. sion, sustainability and innovation, want funding to be more accessible to young people to acquire the necessary skills for - After a long struggle led by the Europe- without forgetting the international smaller local organizations, such as an increasingly digital labor market. an Parliament, Culture was included in the context and the unique global part- youth groups and sports clubs. Education, research and innovation are name of your portfolio - and of course, what nerships that culture and cultural A stronger Erasmus + program is inextricably linked. We often talk about the is Europe without its cultural heritage? What heritage help to forge. also at the root of our efforts to make knowledge triangle, but our big goal is to are the main obstacles that you expect to face We must also acknowledge the the European Education Area a reali- make it a square of knowledge, incorporating and what is your vision for European cultur- problems in culture itself. In the Com- ty by 2025. We want to remove all ob- the benefits to society. Achieving this goal re- al development? mission’s proposal for the next long- stacles for high-quality education and quires an ambitious political agreement on - I am very pleased that Culture is now ex- term budget, the Creative Europe facilitate the movement of students the next multiannual financial framework, plicitly mentioned in the name of my portfolio, program will have nearly 1.9 billion between EU education systems. especially with regard to programs that reflect along with research and education, which have euros of funding. However, support - Innovation and technological our priorities for the future: Horizon Europe, also been added to the name. Of course, wheth- for culture and cultural heritage must progress are essential for Europe. remain broader. In this context, the During your term, you will work TheMayor.EU 4 5 TheMayor.EU

with other Commissioners on a range of the market and ensure that society as a whole Through this Horizon 2020 research able to reach disadvantaged people or science-related issues and how they impact benefits from them. These goals are closely re- and innovation program, the Bulgari- those who live in remote areas. I am citizens’ everyday lives. What results do you lated to my previous work as Commissioner for an international freight company Dis- convinced that young Europeans will expect from your cooperation with your fel- Digital Economy and Society. cordia received a loan of € 2.4 million contribute. This is their future. low commissioners? A good example is blockchain. In 2018, I for digitization, development of an in- In terms of research and innova- - Research and innovation are key to how launched the Observatory and the EU Block- novative business model and creation tion, we want to discuss how we can we live, how we work and how we protect the chain Forum. We have also proposed a Digi- of 160 new jobs in just a single year. best deal with people’s fundamental climate. That is why we are developing our re- tal Europe program with a budget of EUR 9.2 With Horizon Europe, for the pe- concerns. That is why we have added a search and innovation policies in close cooper- billion, in which the development of blockchain riod 2021-2027, we are even more whole new element to the future Hori- ation with other European Commission direc- applications will play an important role. On the ambitious. The European Innova- zon Europe program - the so-called. torates, and not only. We have started strategic other hand, the European Innovation Council tion Council pilot project is already missions. Through them, we want to planning for the new Horizon Europe research (ESI) will be the main tool in helping to fund supporting the funding of innovative respond to climate change, be more and innovation program, with the participa- innovative ideas and bring them to the market. start-ups and SMEs that have failed effective in fighting cancer, take care of tion of other institutions, EU countries, busi- But, of course, digitalisation is also heavily in the past to find funding for their soil and food, and the condition of the nesses, research organizations, universities and present in the education, culture and youth revolutionary and innovative ideas. oceans. My idea is to hold discussions citizens. We have created the programme in dimensions of my portfolio. I will continue to The Transmetrix-based company in in the Member States and hear peo- such a way that it ensures we address the issues work to ensure that more Europeans have ac- is one of the first 75 start-ups ple’s opinions. I would also like to see that are most important to society and has the cess to digital skills training, mainly through and SMEs to receive funding through Bulgarian citizens active, exchanging greatest impact. the Digital Education Action Plan. I was very the new ESI Accelerator tool. views and contributing to the pan-Eu- In terms of results, research and innovation committed to adopting it in January 2018 and What are your goals for the up- ropean debate. The future of Europe will definitely play a central role in delivering am now responsible for updating it to promote coming Conference on the Future of is actually everyone’s fu- results on the European Green Deal. More than digital skills for all. Europe? As Commissioner responsible ture. 35% of the proposed € 100 billion of funding This is very important for our societies to be for Europe’s youth, do you intend to under the new Horizon Europe program, as better prepared for the future - 43% of Europe- work on involving young people in the well as the new € 1 billion of funding under the ans currently lack basic digital skills. discussions? current Horizon 2020 program, will contribute We need to make better use of technology to Of course. The Conference on the to the climate and European Green Pact objec- make our education systems more innovative, Future of Europe plays an import- tives. relevant and prepared for the digital age. For ant role in our priority of giving Another important issue for me is a greater example, we need citizens to understand how new impetus to European democ- representation of women in all areas. Address- artificial intelligence and algorithms affect our racy. Citizens, especially young ing gender inequalities in science is one of my daily lives, as well as the many ethical and so- people, are aware of the chal- priorities for the development of the European cial implications of these technologies. We need lenges we face and wish to par- Research Area. I look forward to working with to retain our talents in Europe so that we can ticipate more and more actively. my fellow Commissioners to bring about this fully embrace these new technologies and our With this in mind, we launched positive change. The first date to mark the cal- small and medium-sized enterprises benefit the conference on the future endar is February 11 - International Women’s from the digital and environmental transfor- of Europe as a forum for citi- Day in Science. On this day, we will be launch- mation of our economy. zens, policy-makers and other ing this year’s edition of the Women’s Innovator - Europe’s digitalization and digitization stakeholders to hold an open, Award, which honours women entrepreneurs are already an established fact - they are part inclusive and transparent de- who have presented remarkable innovations on of the lives of not only citizens, but of entire bate about our future. the market. I will be glad to have many success- municipalities and cities, even countries. Through the Erasmus + ful female candidates from as well. What are your priorities for the EU’s digital programs, the European - You’re building on top of your rich expe- development during your new term? Solidarity Corps and Dis- rience as Commissioner for Digital Economy - My leading priority is to enable the best Eu- coverEU, we can mobilize and Society. What are you bringing from ropean researchers, innovators and businesses young people. It is very your previous portfolio to your current job? to drive the transition to digital in a way that important that we’re also - One of the main priorities of the current is revolutionary, competitive and to the benefit European Commission is to prepare Europe for of society. This includes extending the develop- the digital age. This means that we must be at ment and added value of digital solutions to all Culture and cultural heritage are the cornerstones of European the forefront of technological breakthroughs, EU countries. I would like to set an example integration and are essential resources for Europe. encourage our innovators to bring their ideas to with Bulgaria. TheMayor.EU 6 7 TheMayor.EU

EU Mayors about TheMayor.EU “One of the problems facing the European Union in this histor- “I really believe that the interconnec- ical phase is also the misinfor- tion between municipalities is cru- mation about the activities and cial. We can all have very important good practices of our continent. benefits in many areas. For a remote I believe that a tool like a uni- and rather small place like Lemnos, fied platform can contribute to it is very important to be able to fol- building a sense and a common low the European developments, in look at contemporaneity.” order to get new ideas and apply innovative and most of all efficient Giorgio Gori, policies. Mayor of Bergamo in Italy Your website is a very useful ‘tool’ for municipalities and citizens. We defi- nitely need more information about Europe and European Union as we all now live under the same Europe- a n s k y.” Dimitrios Marinakis, Mayor of Lemnos, Greece “Our process of policy making is based on co-creation. We believe in sharing knowledge, experiences and inspiration with our inhabitants and our partners. That’s the main “It is a very positive and much need- reason why we also believe that ed initiative that furthers the possi- sharing on a European level is very bilities of creating broader networks important. We actively participate and a deeper knowledge and un- in the European arena. In European derstanding of local developments cooperation projects, European net- across Europe” works, European Awards and Eu- ropean events. Europe is our home Paul Depla, Mayor of Breda, Philip Sandberg, and future.” Netherlands Mayor of Lund in Sweden TheMayor.EU 8 9 TheMayor.EU Economy Qrendi is adorned with a country side at Wied iz-Zurrieq, the restaurant at the rich in flora and fauna diversity, with Neolithic temples complex specialises in an abundance of Carob trees, potato and traditional Maltese dishes. A restaurant onion fields, and the legendary Maqluba within the Qrendi village Core also offers doline, where Malta’s national tree, the Maltese food dishes as well as traditional Sandarac Gum Tree (Gharghar) grows to Rabbit dishes. its heart’s content. No shopping venues are available lo- Q Growing in popularity at Qrendi is cally except for some “family run” food the San Mattew tal-Maqluba attraction, supermarkets, and shops. The village of r as the rich surroundings at San Mattew Żurrieq (ten minute walk away) however tal-Maqluba offer a tranquil and relaxing offers an open market. e environment, where heritage, beauty, leg- Thanks to its large cultural heritage, end, culture and religion intersect. This the village was awarded with the EU n location is proving of becoming a most “European Destination of Excellence” ti- d popular venue for wedding celebrations. tle, which further stimulates its tourism Several Fish restaurants are open daily sector. i Brief history

MAYOR Tourism David M. Schembri hot summer months. The upper storey leads into the back gardens where one can admire numer- ous citrus trees. On top of the second storey one Life within the Qrendi confines has been recorded as far back as can find a small but significant observation turret, the early or later Pleistocene times (circa 2.588 million to 11.700 erected with the aim to trace movements from in- years ago) as testified by fossilised bones of dwarf elephants, hippo- vaders or corsairs. potami, bears, stags, foxes and giant dormouse, excavated from the SAN MATTHEW TAL-MAQLUBA “bones caves” in 1858, from the nearby hard coralline limestone ituated on top of the “Maqluba” geological fea- quarries. ture (the name meaning “overturned” referring to Neolithic ruins at Hagar Qim, Mnajdra and Misrah is-Sinjura complement Malta’s the area), the chapel is a typical wayside chapel, largest free-standing temples. Phoenician and Palo Christian rock tombs and cata- and visiting this attraction, one can truly realise combs are also located in Qrendi. GUARENA PALACE the spiritual attributes of the locality. Neolithic Temples at Hagar Qim and the Mnajdra, the Blue Grotto sea caves and The Guarena Palace, a square-shaped for- In reality there are two chapels: the smaller and grottos, the Wied iz-Zurrieq coastal harbour, the Octagonal Tower, the Grandmaster tress-residence, consists of two storeys with the older chapel (on the left) lies on the edge of the De Redin and Lascaris Coastal Towers, The Qrendi Parish Church, The Madonna lower story being much larger than the one above. sinkhole, and is probably one of the oldest chapels tal-Hniena Sanctuary, wayside chapels, palaces attributed to the Knights of Malta, and The entrance is typical of the Maltese houses of still standing in Malta as records show that it was the Gnien tal-Kmand gardens are all worthy attractions located in Qrendi. the time with its size being relatively small when already standing in 1574/5. The confirmation of Qrendi as an independent Parish on 19 February 1618, is cele- compared to the palaces or residences of the Order The other and much bigger chapel in size, brated on the first Sunday following the 19th. of St John. much used nowadays, was built between 1674 The celebration of the village feasts of Santa Maria is on 15 August, Our Lady of The Palace’s entrance ceiling is barrel-shaped in and 1682. Lourdes - on the first Sunday in July. Also celebrated is the the Potato and Agrarian which one can find a monumental stone stairway, Festival on the last Sunday in May. typical of the palaces of the same era found in Val- The religious feasts of the ascension into heaven of the Blessed Virgin known locally letta. The stone handrail rests on stone banisters. as Santa Marija, and the feasts celebrating the visitation of our Lady of Lourdes are The upper storey consists of lesser rooms, however definitely not to the missed. their doorways are much larger than those found More about the history of Qrendi can be discovered through the Tourism section. on the first storey. It seems that the idea of the defense of the build- Administrative Data ing was wavered in lieu of comfort as such door- Located in the South Eastern Region of Malta, the village of Qrendi has a population ways allowed its rooms to be much cooler in the of 2773 people.

Information and photos: Qrendi Local Council TheMayor.EU 10 11 TheMayor.EU

Brief history Administrative Data Braga, capital of the Minho MAYOR region, is the third-largest city in Ricardo Rio Portugal, after Lisbon and Porto, and has high standards of quality of life based on location and in- Braga is considered to be one of the youngest cities in Eu- frastructures. It has a population rope and combines perfectly its two-thousand-year old histo- of 181,954 inhabitants, which B ry with invigorating youth and vitality. With an unusual histo- represents about 64,000 families, r ry, it is still known up to today as the city of the Archbishops or in an area of 183.40 km². Braga as the Portuguese Rome. has 46% of young population a Also, the commitment to promote development based on the transfer of knowl- (85.000 young people) and is the edge, technology and eco sustainability has been advertising the city of Braga as a youngest district capital in Por- g “cluster” of technological industries and an increasingly attractive pole for Invest- tugal and one of the youngest in ment. It is a city that also has a rich touristic offer. Europe. a Braga has always taken a strategic and central regional role, from Bracara Au- gusta to the present day, thanks to the privileged geographical location and its dy- Tourism namism. It plays a leading role in the economy, culture, knowledge and technology With over 2000 years of a very rich histo- lution of Braga art, the Bom Jesus do Monte of the region and this centrality and relevance provides its inhabitants with an ry, Braga is a city of huge beauty and heritage Sanctuary is considered one of the greatest re- excellent quality of life in various sectors. richness, which combines tradition with in- ligious tourism highlight of the town and the novation, memory with youth and creativity entire Braga region. with conservatism. The city history is deeply Other types of events also attract tourists, connected with Roman Catholic Religion, be- ones that either mix the religious with the pro- ing known as the Portuguese Rome or the City fane (like the celebration of the feasts of S. João) of Archbishops. The Cathedral of Braga, due to or are simply popular (as the reenactment of its long history and artistic significance, is one “Braga Romana”, recalling the period when the of the most important buildings in the country. city lived under Roman rule). Braga presents places that by their intrinsic The city is also the stage of Europe’s biggest devotion and beauty, impose themselves as White Night. During 48 hours you can listen to mandatory benchmarks to visit. A prime ex- great concerts, explore artistic installations and ample of the European Baroque and the evo- see innovative performances.

Economy Braga is a technological hotbed, some of the most representative compa- where many internationally successful nies, among others. The municipality startups have emerged and is home to considers that Economic Promotion, a renowned University – University of Investment Attraction and Internation- Minho – and to the International Ibe- alization are the key vectors of the stra- rian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) tegic measures adopted in order to fos- – a leading international research cen- ter Dynamism, Innovation, Knowledge tre. Bosch Car Multimedia Portugal, and Creativity in the Business Sector, Aptiv, Torrestir, Alumínios Navarra, towards a new local and regional eco- Primavera BSS, WeDo Technologies are nomic cycle. Information and photos: City of Braga of City photos: and Information TheMayor.EU 12 13 TheMayor.EU

Brief history Administrative Data Stolichna Municipality is an administrative arising from the everyday needs of the popula- and territorial unit which has the status of a re- tion according to their place of residence, the MAYOR gion. Stolichna Municipality comprises 38 pop- administrative servicing of the citizens, the city/ Yordanka Fandakova ulated areas, 4 of them the following cities and town development, sanitation, etc. The city is sit- towns: Sofia, , Buhovo and , uated in the Sofia Field at an altitude of about After the north-eastern parts of Bulgaria where the capital of as well as 34 villages. Sofia is divided into 24 550 m above sea level. The region is rich in min- Preslav was locater,were conquered by Byzantium in 972, Sre- regions. The regional mayors solve the problems eral water. S dets became a temporary capital of the First Bulgarian Empire. The Bulgarian Church, headed by Patriarch Damyan, moved here from o Drastar City (present-day Silistra). There was a time of continuous economic and cultural growth for Sredets during the Second Bulgarian Empire (1194- f 1382). The city grew and got its final appearance of a typical medieval city. The streets became narrower, buildings with a typical brick and stone construction appeared, new i small churches were erected, and in its vicinity, mostly on the slopes of and the , many monasteries were constructed. In the last decades of the 14th a century, the city took on its present name - Sofia, after the basilica that arose nearby. In 1382, after a three-month siege, Sofia was captured by Ottoman conquerors. Following the liberation of the city from Ottoman rule (04.01.1878), a year later - on 03.04.1879, the First Constituent National Assembly unanimously chose Sofia as the capital of the restored Bulgarian State. In 1879, the first urban development plan of Sofia was drawn up. It transformed the outlook of the city and shaped to a large extent the appearance of today’s city centre. Some of the most prominent architects and builders of the time were attracted from Europe for the construction of the new capital. Economy

Sofia is the main administrative, Tourism industrial, transport, cultural and uni- Tourists can see the exhibited remains of the the 11th century. Another Christian landmark versity centre of the country, and 1/6 of Eastern Gate of Serdika - Sredets, dating from in the area is the Saint Joseph Catholic Cathe- the industrial production of Bulgaria the 2nd-14th century. The remains are situated dral. The National Archaeological Museum is is concentrated here. Sofia is the larg- in the subway between the Presidency and the located in the area with religious landmarks est industrial centre of Bulgaria. There Council of Ministers. One of the oldest churches and just opposite the Presidency. It houses are around 800 big enterprises on the in the capital is the Saint Sofia Basilica, built some of the most valuable treasures found in territory of the city. 75% of the steel in the time of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian Bulgaria. Nearby is the National Museum of industry, 50% of the printing industry, (527-565). It was the main temple of the me- Natural History that houses stuffed, extremely 15% of the electrical and electronics dieval city, during Ottoman rule it was turned valuable, even extinct plant and animal spe- industry, 14% of the fur and footwear into a mosque. St. Aleksander Nevski Memori- cies. Right next to the Museum is located the industry in the country are concen- al Temple is one of the symbols of the capital. St. Nicholas Russian Church that is impres- trated in Sofia. Chemical, textile and The temple was built in 1912 under the project sive with its architecture. The popular Vitosha food products are also manufactured. of the Russian architect Aleksander Pomerant- Boulevard is among the favourite places of the The construction, trade and transport sev. Its bell tower rises to a height of 53 meters; guests and residents of the capital. Here, one sectors connecting the material and it has 12 bells, the heaviest of them weighing 10 can find shops of world brands and its status social infrastructure of the big city are tons. The oldest temple in Sofia is the St. George of a pedestrian zone makes it a pleasant place highly developed. The private sector on Rotunda. It is believed that it was built in the for a walk and recreation. The shopping oppor- the territory of Stolichna Municipality 4th century, during the reign of Emperor Con- tunities in the city are many and varied - some is concentrated mainly in the spheres of stantine the Great. Just near the Rotunda is the of the biggest shopping centres on the Balkan trade and services. Saint Petka Samardzhiyska Temple, built in Peninsula can be found here. TheMayor.EU 14 15 TheMayor.EU

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