News and Events

Another success for Tour de Culture

The promotion of sustainable mobility and cultural heritage was the mission of the 6th edition of Tour de Culture which took place on the 22nd of September 2013, in the municipalities of Ferizaj/Urosevac and Kaçanik/Kaèanik. Close to 900 participants were present at the starting point in Ferizaj. Tour de Culture is organised since 2008 by UN-Habitat/MuSPP together with Cultural Heritage without Borders, both financed by the Swedish Development Corporation. This year's edition was organised in full coordination with the Kosovo Cyclist Federation and the Association of Professional Cyclists in Kosovo. The participants included people with special needs who joined at the beginning of the Tour and had the opportunity to experience the entire route by a bus booked especially for them.

The start of this year's tour was the Nerodime river bifurcation and Nika's mill, the 18th century monument which is under protection for its cultural heritage values. An exhibition was displayed at the site featuring the photos of the previous 5 years of the Tour which also offered an overview of how the activity has evolved throughout the years.  The participants were greeted by the Mayor of Ferizaj, Mr. Agim Aliu, who expressed his gratitude towards the organisers for the work that they have done before as well as for giving the opportunity to the city of Ferizaj to host this activity. He also emphasized the importance of the project for green corridors, initiated in close cooperation with UN‑Habitat's MuSPP, which intends to improve the public spaces in Ferizaj and which will contribute to the public realm in the city of Ferizaj. During the opening ceremony the Head of UN-Habitat/Kosovo, Ms. Gwendoline Mennetrier, pointed out that initiatives such as these are strongly encouraged by UN-Habitat's World Urban Campaign and she complimented the participants as city changers who are trying to change mobility perceptions in their cities while at the same time promoting Kosovo's heritage.

The tour continued in the centre of the city of Ferizaj where bikers could see the cultural heritage monuments in the city. The next stop was after 10 kilometres in the magisterial roads where local fruits and vegetables were provided for the bikers, and they enjoyed the stop in the shadow of the pine trees. The magisterial road between Ferizaj and Kacanik has never had before more cyclists than last Sunday. The second half of this scenic road led to the ruins of the castle of Kacanik where the trip ended. The cyclists here were hosted by the Vice-Mayor of this municipality under the sounds of traditional songs and dances.

Apart from the traditional partners in organising Tour de Culture, the number of sponsors has kept increasing every year. This year the project was supported by the Council of Europe/Promotion of Cultural Diversity, Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning, host municipalities and local businesses. The event also had the attention of the local and electronic media, and this has further contributed to the awareness-raising of Kosovo residents on the promotion of non-motorised mobility and of natural and cultural heritage.

Contacts

UN-HABITAT Pristina Office:

Ministries Building "Rilindja", 10th Floor
10000 Prishtina, Kosovo
Phone: +381 38 200 32611
Fax: +381 38 224 122
E-mail: info@unhabitat-kosovo.org

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