Mallorca will slash 18,000 tourist beds from its accommodation offer
The island is dead set on doing something about the problem of overtourism
The supposed site of the battle is a quaint field today, Source: Rimantas Lazdynas, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
The holiday honours an event when communities from both lands united against the Livonian Crusaders in the 13th century
The Day of Baltic Unity is one of those rare events, which is celebrated by two countries as a display of shared history and fraternity. Every year, since 2000, Latvians and Lithuanians commemorate a historic event, which had united their ancestors in the face of a common threat.
The holiday recalls the Battle of Saule (Šiauliai), which took place in 1236 between the local Samogitian and Semigallian tribes and the invading Livonian Brothers of the Sword knights.
The thing is, back then these tribes were still pagan following their own beliefs and customs – something that was considered outrageous in Medieval (and very religious) Europe. Hence, the crusade had the aim of forcing a conversion of the Baltic peoples to Catholicism.
The battle in question resulted in the decisive victory of the autochthonous inhabitants and even though ultimately the Baltic people were converted to Christianity, it is still remembered and honoured today as an example of native resistance and unity in the face of adversity.
In fact, the battle was decisive enough to help the Samogitians resist conversion for another 150 years.
The holiday is designed to bring the Baltic peoples together and foster strong ties between Latvia and Lithuania. The Day of Baltic Unity is marked with official receptions, conferences, exhibitions, cultural events, concerts and other appropriate events and activities.
The holiday is used as a platform to demonstrate the folk culture and the pre-Christian customs that have been fairly well preserved among the Baltic people.
Every year, a different city (from either country) takes the helm as the host of the main festivities.
Since 2017, a prize has also been awarded to a person who has done exemplary work in promoting Baltic culture.
The island is dead set on doing something about the problem of overtourism
The event, officially called Krakow Equality March, will be held next week
However, this option will not yet be available for the upcoming European Parliament elections in June
You can find it in the capital Sofia, where it was installed upon the initiative of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
People in both cities got to sit together both in person and virtually
However, this option will not yet be available for the upcoming European Parliament elections in June
1.8 million residents in the country will therefore get a new address
You can find it in the capital Sofia, where it was installed upon the initiative of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
In case they have a patch of unoccupied land that they don’t know what to do with
This is the day when all madrileños take local pride in their city and culture
And the results were immediate, two Sunday services had to be performed to accommodate the crowd
The island is dead set on doing something about the problem of overtourism
Urban dwellers across the EU are having a say in making their surroundings friendlier to people and the environment.
Forests in the EU can help green the European construction industry and bolster a continent-wide push for architectural improvements.
Apply by 10 November and do your part for the transformation of European public spaces
Catch up with some recommendations for the 2024 European Capital of Culture programme from the mayor of Tartu
An interview with the ICLEI regional director for Europe аfter the close of COP28
An interview with a member of the No Hate Speech Network team