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The "did you know?" section brings forward a variety of small facts from regions across the continent. The aim of the section is to show the diversity of our members. If you would like to promote your region via one of our many tools available, do not hesitate to contact us, we are eager to get to know our members better.

Franche-Comté is the home of many famous historic figures

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France’s most famous writer, poet and playwright, Victor Hugo was born in Franche-Comté, at the foot of the majestic Citadelle. Although he left the region in his early years, he was in constant correspondance with local dignitary.

Other famous men, Claude Jouffroy-D’Abbans, Rouget De l’Isle, Toussaint Louverture, Gustave Courbet, Louis Pasteur, the Peugeot family, Petit Gibus, and Bernard Clavel all have one thing in common: Franche-Comté, either as their birthplace, place of inspiration, invention and discovery.

The region of Franche-Comté is an active member of the AER youth international mobility programme, Eurodyssey. Since the territorial reform in 2016 in France, the region has merged with Bourgogne and is known as Bourgogne-Franche-Comté.

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The city of Kragujevac in Serbia (Sumadija and Pomoravlje) is known as the city of the many ”firsts”

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Photo by Miroslav Vajdic

Almost all scopes of social, public and economic life in Serbia have its roots in Region of Sumadija and Pomoravlje:

  • In 1833 the First Grammar School was established and than the “Lyceum”, the forerunner of the first Serbian University, in 1838.
  • First constitution in the Balkans was proclaimed in this city in 1835.
  • Print works in 1833.
  • Professional National theatre 1835.
  • Military academy 1837.
  • The first bulb in Serbia lit up in 1884, when the First Electrical Power plant was built.
  • Weapons manufacturing in Kragujevac began in 1853.
  • The former state-owned Zastava Automobiles Company was founded in 1953, produces over 1 million of famous FIAT 750 known as FICA. Zastava was sold to Fiat in 2008. Total volume of investment is over 1 billion Euros, while the company is now producing FIAT 500 L.
  • Finally, the beauty of Sumadija and Pomoravlje Region landscapes we treasure and proudly share. Take a look: www.predelisrcasrbije.rs/en

The famous Fica

In 30 years, 1 million Zastava 750 were produced in Kragujevac (Sumadija and Pomoravlje-RS)

Undoubtedly the most popular Yugoslavian car, the production of the Zastava 750 began on 18 October 1955 and ended on 18 November 1985. The Zavodi Crvena Zastava (“Red Flag Institutes”) – followed by the Zastava Automobiles and recently FIAT Chrysler Automobiles Serbia – were the manufacturing companies producing this successful car. The company is based in Kragujevac, the capital city of the new AER member Region of Sumadija and Pomoravlje (RS). The production but also the assembly of every single Zastava 750 takes place in the Kragujevac’s factory. Also widely knows by its nickname “Fića”, the car was a version of the Fiat 600. Some small transformations intervened in 1980, when the Zastava 180 was launched. Zastava 750’s legend is still currently surviving and many young nostalgic  serbians continue to inquire about it, while Kragujevac’s factory is now producing the Fiat 500L.

 

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Trentino’s MUSE is the only museum in Italy awarded in the 2015 “European Museum of the year”

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1.061.041 visitors, 5000 teachers member of the “Docenti Club”, 498 membership partners…since its opening in 2013 the Science Museum (MUSE) of Trento (Trentino-South Tyrol, I) is promoting science and culture in a very innovative and successful way.

The main building has been projected by Renzo Piano and hosts an expositive path, a research center on biodiversity, zoology and botanic, a public library and the archives. However, ten other centers, spread around the province of Trento – and in Tanzania! – complete this wide educational and scientific project, aimed to interpret nature, starting from the mountains, using the eyes, tools, and applications of scientific research, taking advantage of the challenges of the contemporary world, stimulating scientific curiosity and the pleasure of knowledge, giving value to science, innovation, and sustainability.

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Moscopole was the cultural center of the Aromanians

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Moscopole (Voskopojë) is a magical tourist green village that combines with its rich culture, traditions and landscape harmoniously unified to give a permanent tourist value. It is located at a distance of 21 km from Korçë, in the mountains of southeastern Albania, at an altitude of 1160 meters. The village is known for its centuries-old civilization since 1330, stunning scenery, numerous churches and frescoes, which have in themselves a precious cultural heritage and organic food or traditional dishes. Precisely this artistic and architectural heritage served in numerous churches of the village are rich with images of icons of wall paintings that unfold before tourists’ village, which once stood on the list of the most important cities in the Balkans.

Moscopole biggest boom has been in 1764, when its population reached about 30,000 inhabitants. The blooming peak was reached in early 18th century, being described as “the rests of Epirus trade” and the “second largest city in the Ottoman Empire, after Istanbul”. In that period there were 25 churches with frescoes of the most coveted and have not remained more than 8 churches. A printing press was also operating in Moscopole which was the second one in the Ottoman Europe after that of Constantinople. In 1744 one prestigious educational institution was created which as known as New Academy and in 1770, the first dictionary of four modern Balkan languages (Greek, Albanian, Vlach/Aromanian and Bulgarian) was published here. The town has broad cobbled streets, sidewalks and sewers, fragments of which can still be seen today. Moscopole is evaluated as an important historical center of Korca region with the cultural heritage.

Moscopole widely developed the mountain tourism. There is a combination of mild valley climate in the lower parts and true Alpine climate in the higher regions. Favorable climate conditions make this center ideal for winter, summer, sport, recreation tourism. Moscopole is known, among other things, for the rich cuisine, culture which offers a variety of organic food for tourists. Each year on 24 June is organized the fair “Tourist Day “with the participation from all over the region, where are exposed agricultural and livestock products, craft, gastronomic, historical and cultural products. At the same time the day is a festive day, with rich artistic programs, hiking, horse walk, bicycle etc. The beautiful environment offers a warm and friendly atmosphere which strings along with a traditional kitchen.

Moscopole is declared by the Government a Historic and Touristic Area. The reassessment of such heritage has enabled its further recognition and the development of tourism.

Learn more about the Albanian region of Korcä.

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In Alba County, a glade takes the shape of a heart

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It is called Poiana Inimii – “Heart’s Glade” – and it is one of the most unusual glades in Romania. It has a heart shape which can be clearly seen from the opposite slope. A glade is a clearing, an open space in a forest, and this one is in the process of being recognised as a protected area. It is also used as a symbol by Alba County Council in promoting local tourism, in an effort to tap into the potential of tourism as a source of sustainable and economic growth for the County.

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South Ostrobothnia is also called ‘Texas of Finland’

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Because they are independently minded and strong-willed as their peers in Texas. Agriculture is also an important livelihood in South Ostrothnia, having their own prairie that they call “lakeus”. The region of South Ostrobothnia in the province of Western Finland is well known for its entrepreneurship and the exceptionally large number of small and medium size enterprises. South Ostrobothnia is also recognized for its production of foodstuff, hi-tech, metal, and wood. Employing a large number of engineers, entrepreneurs, and experts, the metal and hi-tech industry sector of the region is internationally oriented, growing, and technologically advanced. In South Ostrobothnia, you find yourself both surrounded by beautiful and fertile countryside and at the same time you can enjoy access to good services and a diversified cultural supply. The beautiful fields of the river valleys are typical for the region. South Ostrobothnia is truly a region of opportunities!

More information on South Ostrobothnia here !

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Facebook built its first server outside the USA in Norrbotten

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The Facebook Data Centre is based in the city of Luleå, in the AER member region of Norrbotten. One of the reasons that Facebook choose that place was because of the natural cooling thanks to the climate, reliable electricity networks, cheap electricity and the clean energy. The computer center is the largest one in Europe, with 84.000 sqm, which is comparable with 11 soccer fields.

More information about Norrbotten County.

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Adjara is one of the world’s largest bird migration corridors

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Since the end of August to the end of October, you can watch the migration of more than a million migratory birds of prey. The Autonomous Republic of Adjara is an AER member from Georgia, and will host the next AER Black Sea Summit in September 2016.

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The first public library was started in Winchester gaol

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Winchester jail, that is. Gaol is an obsolescent spelling of the word now usually spelled jail.

Winchester is the capital city of AER member Hampshire County, in the United Kingdom, that will host the next AER Committees’ Autumn Plenaries, on 2-4 November 2015.

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Limburg, the ‘Flavour region of Europe 1998’

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The Region of Languedoc-Roussillon (F) held the 2nd European Cup of Regional Flavours from 2nd to 4th February 1998. Created in 1995 by the region of Poitou- Charentes and sponsored by the AER, this event aims at promoting regional gastronomy in Europe, highlighting the diversity, the richness and quality of regional products and reviving traditional recipes. For this 2nd edition of the Cup, 64 regions from 16 countries took part, in four categories. Out of the 159 recipes prepared by regional chefs, in the competition, 32 prizes were awarded by a European jury and presented by President Jacques Blanc. The region of Limburg (NL) obtained the most prizes and was proclaimed the “Flavour region of Europe 1998”.

Prizes in the different categories

Starter: Gold: Limburg (NL) – Silver: Salzburg (A) – Bronze: Hessen (D) Other prize-winners: Galicia (E) – Poitou- Charentes (F) – Utrecht (NL) – Basse & Haute Normandie (F) – País Vasco (E)

Fish: Gold: Languedoc-Roussillon (F) – Silver: Grampian (GB) – Bronze : Alsace (F) Other prize-winners: Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (F) – Østfold (N) – Midi-Pyrénées (F) – Wales (GB) – Basse & Haute Normandie (F)

Meat: Gold: Limburg (NL) – Silver: Warszawa (PL) – Bronze: Northwest Cumbria (GB) Other prize-winners: Wales (GB) – Alsace (F) – Tayside-Perthshire (GB) – Campania (I) – Dumfries and Galloway (GB)

Dessert: Gold: South Yorkshire (GB) – Silver: Alsace (F) – Bronze: Limburg (NL) Other prize-winners: Warszawa (PL) – Salzburg (A) – Utrecht (NL) – Hessen (D) – Flevoland (NL) Congratulations to the prize winners and all the participants.

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Aquitaine – Euskadi – Navarra: over 350 Crossborder Projects

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The regions of Aquitaine (F), Euskadi and Navarra (E) are geographically and historically close so it is quite natural that they got together. Aquitaine and Euskadi established a cooperation protocol in 1989 and Navarra joined them in 1992, thus sealing a fruitful institutional collaboration. The main objectives of this cooperation are:

  • to exchange information on respective economic and social policies, on actions for the promotion and the development of communications, training, research and infrastructures as well as the value of cultural and linguistic heritage,
  • to harmonise policies in the above mentioned areas,
  • to consult each other on the definition and implementation of projects of common interest,
  • to encourage all forms of cooperation between the different public, professional and private bodies from each region.

Over 350 transborder projects, 50 of which were introduced in 1997, have in this way been set up in a variety of fields: higher education, scientific research, the environment, economic development, tourism, agriculture, culture, training, social care, diffusion of the Basque language etc. These projects are financed by a common intervention fund. The three regions invest each year close to 300 million Pesetas so that this collaboration may realise an even greater number of common projects on both sides of the border.

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