Diplomatic Corps Reception in MOCAK
It has become something of a tradition for Krakow's Mayor to meet the representatives of the local diplomatic corps at the beginning of a new year. This time, the meeting was held on 14th January in the Museum of Contemporary Art in Krakow.
For several years, the official New Year's meetings of the Mayor of Krakow with the local diplomatic corps were organized in the Wielopolski Palace, now serving as the City Hall. In 2012, however, the Mayor decided to add more flavour to the traditional receptions by moving them to Krakow's municipal museums. The change was also meant to promote our cultural institutions among the locally accredited diplomats. Last year the historical exhibition in the Main Market Square underground vaults was the backdrop for the meeting. This time, the gathering was held in a more modern setting.
The meeting is invariably an excellent opportunity to recapitulate on the cooperation so far, present future plans and welcome new consuls to Krakow. In his speech, the Mayor emphasized the strength of Krakow's international relations, treated by the Polish national authorities with well-deserved care and respect as an important contribution to the national foreign policy. The President of Poland corroborated this attitude by eagerly endorsing Mayor Majchrowski's initiative to award the Mayors of some of Krakow's partner cities – Frankfurt am Mein, Vienna and Nuremberg – with high state orders.
The Mayor thanked the consuls for their active contribution and personal engagement in Krakow's development. Thanks to the initiative of the French Consul General, Krakow now has a new square by the name of Napoleon's Grand Army. The efforts of the Slovakian Consul led to the commemoration of Krakow's former mayors of the Slovakian Turzon family with a special plaque. The close cooperation of the American and Slovakian Consulates resulted in a unique Andy Warhol exhibition. The contribution of the Honorary Consulate of Italy in Krakow also deserves repeated praise. The Consulate never ceases to actively support the rations between Krakow and Italian cities, which, in October 2012, led to the signing of a MoU with Rome.
We expect the new 2013 to match its predecessor in terms of international relations, as we have some important jubilees to celebrate: the 40th anniversary of our official friendship with Leipzig, the 20th of our ties with Bordeaux, the 15th of our partnership with Innsbruck and finally, the 35th anniversary of Krakow and Wieliczka's inscription on the first UNESCO World Heritage List. Additionally, new MoUs with Moscow and Vienna are planned to be signed and arrangements are made for a presentation of Krakow's cultural achievements in Lviev and Kiev. Together with our partners, we will also celebrate the 20th anniversary of Slovakia's independence, Croatia's accession to the EU and the 50th anniversary of signing the Élysée Treaty.
Having acknowledged the contribution of the local consuls, Mayor Majchrowski asked them for cooperation in a project consisting of a series of interviews meant to introduce Krakovians to their work and achievements. The interviews will be published on municipal web pages and the „Kraków.PL" biweekly.
