Derry for 2013 EWT Walled Towns Symposium

EWT President Joe Spiteri with Erika Schuster and Heidimarie Penke, Vice-Mayor of Gmuend hand the flag to Councillor Brenda Hughes and Derdre Harte .of Derry in Northern Ireland, UK City of Culture 2013.

At Gmuend in Austria this month, the city of Derry set the date for (October 23rd 2013) and introduced the 2013 EWT Symposium.
They have taken on the 'Friendship' flag, which features an image Tenby's town gate  and has symbolised Walled Towns Friendship Circle and now European Walled Towns at every Symposium for the last 21 years, including in Derry in 1994.

Last time, Derry had the flag - in 1994

Derry's 'London Walls' will remember 400 years in 2013. At the Symposium, EWT expects to celebrate both its Canterbury Accord “ Walled Towns in the Friendship Circle are expected to evolve as sanctuaries of Conciliation and Peace” and the Piran Declaration "“Walled Towns are unique inheritances from times long past and should be treasured, maintained and safeguarded from neglect, damage and destruction and passed on into perpetuity as irreplaceable ‘Timestones of History’”

FROM "You Are Here » Derry City Council Home » News » City to host European Walled Towns AGM in 2013

City to host European Walled Towns AGM in 2013

27/09/2012

The Mayor Cllr Kevin Campbell was presented with the 
European Walled Towns Flag from the 
Chairperson of Development Committee, 
Cllr Brenda Stevenson, to mark the official handover
 as the host City for the European AGM next year.

Cllr Stevenson attended the European Walled Towns 2012 AGM
 in Austria last week and received the flag on behalf of the city. The EWT
 is the international association for sustainable development of walled towns,
 cities and fortified towns in Europe and is aimed at promoting the mutual interests
 shared by walled towns.

The Mayor, Cllr Kevin Campbell said hosting the European Walled Towns AGM in 2013 was a
 significant boost for the city.

“It’s great news that Derry has been chosen as the host city for this major event next year. 
The conference will present us with a great opportunity to showcase our walled city 
and to welcome representatives from walled cities across Europe to experience our city
 and its people. The event is very prestigious in that it provides a unique opportunity
 to exchange knowledge and experience and work collectively to network and look at
 opportunities for sourcing funding and support to promote our walled cities.”

The Mayor added that it is hoped the AGM would take place in October of next year.

“It is fitting that an event of this magnitude will be held in the city during our City of Culture year.
 It will provide us with the perfect platform to showcase our city, share our unique history
 and tell our new story to a global audience,” he added.""