Austria / Vienna / Development / Green City

Vienna has its first green hydrogen plant

The facility will be able to power 60 buses daily

Apr 10, 2024 10:36

Italy / Culture and Tourism / Development

This Italian region now has Europe’s highest Tibetan bridge

It’s not for the faint-hearted

Mar 26, 2024 10:24

Bulgaria / Cyprus / Portugal / Culture and Tourism / Economy and Finance

These are Europe’s 3 most affordable holiday destinations in 2024

Overall, the continent is getting more expensive for tourism

Mar 29, 2024 17:54

Czechia / Prague / Economy and Finance

Housing in Prague is the least affordable in Europe

What are the reasons for that and are there any possible solutions for that problem?

Mar 28, 2024 16:29

Politics and Reforms

European grand alliance urges EU to find new ways to effectuate Green Deal

The Local Alliance unites eight organisations, which advocate for the sustainable interests of local and regional communities

Apr 15, 2024 12:28

Belgium / Digital transformation / Politics and Reforms

Chatbot helps Flemish voters make a decision for the upcoming elections

The aim of the smart device is to present information without political colouring

Apr 11, 2024 18:02

Lithuania / Vilnius / Innovation and Research / Public Spaces

Vilnius’ mobile courtyards revive a community and then move on

Easy, simple and cheap solution to create a focal attraction in any neighbourhood

Apr 10, 2024 16:51

Germany / Digital transformation / Innovation and Research

German town tests the traffic light of the future

It looks like a regular traffic signal, but it has more features and responds intelligently to the situation on the road below

Apr 9, 2024 13:42

Belgium / Digital transformation / Politics and Reforms

Chatbot helps Flemish voters make a decision for the upcoming elections

The aim of the smart device is to present information without political colouring

Apr 11, 2024 18:02

Germany / Digital transformation / Innovation and Research

German town tests the traffic light of the future

It looks like a regular traffic signal, but it has more features and responds intelligently to the situation on the road below

Apr 9, 2024 13:42

Slovakia / Energy efficiency / Green City

Slovakia shuts down its last coal plant today

Electricity production in that Eastern European country will not release direct CO2 emissions anymore

Mar 26, 2024 17:45

France / Paris / Energy efficiency / Social City

Paris reports positive impact from energy renovation on social housing

A recent study showed how these energy efficiency projects make the living habitat more…livable

Mar 13, 2024 17:59

Luxembourg / Mobility / Smart City

Luxembourg’s free public transport will finally also have free wifi

The Grand Duchy was the first country in the world to provide free public transit on its entire territory

Apr 11, 2024 15:56

Belgium / Mobility / Politics and Reforms

Belgian railways ask Flemish party to stop handing “fake ticket” flyers

The leaflets were part of an election campaign, but it looks like the promise printed on them was too realistic

Apr 10, 2024 13:23

Italy / Milan / Public Spaces

You may be fined for feeding pigeons in this part of the Milan metropolis

The citizen brazenly decided to throw crumbs at the birds despite being caught in the act by the mayor himself

Apr 15, 2024 13:36

Lithuania / Vilnius / Innovation and Research / Public Spaces

Vilnius’ mobile courtyards revive a community and then move on

Easy, simple and cheap solution to create a focal attraction in any neighbourhood

Apr 10, 2024 16:51

Italy / Culture and Tourism

Pompeii surprises with new frescoes

The newly revealed wall art gives a peek into the decorations of a household dining room

Apr 12, 2024 13:29

Spain / Culture and Tourism

Remember El Bulli? You can sleep there for free

The unique opportunity appears to be a one-off on Airbnb, but you get to personally meet Ferran Adria

Apr 11, 2024 13:41

France / Paris / Education and Sport

3 months before start of Olympic Games, the Seine not ready for swimmers

This can end up being a major embarrassment for the French capital, as cleaning up the river was touted as a major green project

Apr 9, 2024 09:03

Germany / Education and Sport / Green City

Aachen waste company will not empty incorrectly filled organic bins in a bid to re-educate residents

Its employees leave stickers on the containers indicating what can go in and what cannot

Apr 2, 2024 17:53

Bulgaria / Welfare and Health

This Bulgarian town has hired a snake hunter

Still, the aim is not to harm the animals and they will be released at another spot after capture

Apr 11, 2024 09:32

Czechia / Prague / Welfare and Health

Prague’s Astronomical Clock will stop for a bit on 3 April - find out why

Czechia is marking a national ‘No Rush Day’ across the country

Apr 2, 2024 09:14

Rakvere

Mayor

Triin Varek

View old mayors

Rakvere is one of the oldest towns in Estonia. On 12 June 1302, Danish king Erik Menved VI granted Rakvere the Lübeck city rights, providing certain autonomy.

For centuries, the stone castle stood on Vallimägi, established in the place of the Tarvanpea wooden stronghold. The castle has been owned by Danes, Germans, Russians, Swedes, Poles and its walls have witnessed numerous battles.

The ruined castle was abandoned in 1605 and remained that way untill it was opened as a museum in 1988. Today, the castle has been fully renovated and opened as a medieval themepark for visitors.

Rakvere has suffered great losses in many wars but thanks to the persistence of its citizens, the town has always revived and in 1783 it became county center.

Rakvere did not become a large industrial town. Instead, it became an important educational and cultural centre. The first school there was established in 1597, and the first secondary school in 1912.

Rakvere schools´ alumni consist of many well-known scientists, writers, artists and musicians. For example Arvo Pärt, a world known composer, is an honorary citizen of the town. The first local museum dates back to 1927 when the Rakvere Museum Society was founded.

Rakvere Theatre was inaugurated in 1940 with "In the Swirling Winds" ("Tuulte pöörises") by August Kitzberg.

Estonia / Paide / Rakvere / Tallinn / Tartu / Politics and Reforms

Local elections in Estonia bring native coalitions to the fore

Center lost its absolute majority in Tallinn but its mayor Mihhail Kõlvart remains Estonia’s most popular politician

Oct 18, 2021 14:11

Elva / Haapsalu / Paide / Rakvere / Tallinn / Tartu / Culture and Tourism

Going to the sauna in Võru County

The smoke sauna tradition is inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

Dec 25, 2020 09:54

Elva / Haapsalu / Paide / Rakvere / Tallinn / Tartu / Welfare and Health

Estonia closes schools and sports activities to rein coronavirus in

Tougher additional measures will be imposed in Ida-Viru county

Dec 10, 2020 08:39

Elva / Haapsalu / Paide / Rakvere / Tallinn / Tartu / Welfare and Health

Estonia tightens corona restrictions further

Restaurants and entertainment venues will have to close earlier; shops must be full at maximum 50 percent

Dec 04, 2020 14:49

Elva / Haapsalu / Paide / Rakvere / Tallinn / Tartu / Welfare and Health

Estonia tightens corona restrictions

They include mandatory mask wearing in public indoor places, social distancing measures and additional curbs in epidemic hotspots

Nov 24, 2020 09:03

Elva / Haapsalu / Paide / Rakvere / Tallinn / Tartu / Welfare and Health

Estonia caps indoor events attendance at 750

Despite a rise in Covid-19 cases, the situation seems under control

Sep 29, 2020 07:54

Rakvere / Interviews

Rakvere offers a unique environment and rapidly developing and beautiful, picturesque green areas

Interview with Triin Varek, Mayor of Rakvere in Estonia

Sep 28, 2020 07:04

Monika Dimitrova