Sisian winner of Culture and Creativity programme
The EU-Eastern Partnership Culture and Creativity Programme initiated the programme that will help small and medium-sized towns and regions to enhance their creative potential. The 84 applications have been submitted from 6 EaP countries. Here is the list of selected towns and regions for Creative Towns and Regions Initiative: Armenia – Sisian (town) Azerbaijan – Shamkir (region) Belarus – Svetlogorsk (town) Georgia – Mtskheta-Mtianeti (region) Moldova – Orhei (town) Ukraine – Kosiv (town) These towns and regions will become locations for the mapping exercise based on the most up-to-date methodology and carried out by qualified experts. The participants will get the access to capacity building package for towns/regions' representatives and their communities. Moreover, they will have the opportunity to work with specialised experts and to network with international peers in other EaP countries as well from the European Union. The aim of the Creative Towns and Regions Initiative is to raise awareness of all key stakeholders of the potential of cultural and creative sectors, to collect data on local cultural and creative resources and to propose concrete action plans for developing the cultural and creative industries potential, including development of local cultural landscape, building clusters with local businesses, increasing the quality of offer of the tourism sector and build stronger networks with similar towns and regions in other countries. Armenia – Sisian (town) The city of Sisian in Syunik province (southern Armenia at a distance of 217 km from Yerevan) has 15,000 residents and around 30,000 with 35 neighbouring villages. The added value for this city through our initiative will be huge in terms of mapping and using their current assets. Regional networking will have a considerable impact in promoting the city’s creative potential and partnership opportunities. Two national treasures are near the city: Ukhtasar Petroglyphs and Zorats karer. The main road connecting Armenia with Iran passes next to the city (7 km). The city and its surroundings claim beautiful nature and hiking trails leading to monasteries, churches and mountainous lakes. Shaki Waterfall is one of the natural beauties of the region located 6 km from the town of Sisian. There is a local art school and Sisian branch of the National Art Gallery, Sisian History Museum. Sisian Ceramics, a private business that works to preserve regional ceramic practices is located in the city. There are two annual festivals in the city: the Bread Festival and the Raspberry Festival. For more information about the program visit https://www.culturepartnership.eu/en or write to [email protected]
