News
Ukmergė District Municipality Delegation Participated in the International Old Town Festival in Turkey
At the invitation of Ümit Uysal, Mayor of Muratpaşa Municipality in the city of Antalya, the delegation of Ukmergė District Municipality took part in the international Kaleiçi Old Town Festival held in Turkey on October 9–12. This year, Ukmergė District Municipality was represented by the Mayor’s Advisor Goda Juzėnaitė and the Senior Specialist of the Strategic Planning, Investment and Business Development Division Viktorija Stasiškienė.
This year marked the 10th anniversary of the Kaleiçi Old Town Festival. The global cultural event brought together representatives from 21 countries and 26 cities, who gathered to share experiences, culture, and ideas of friendship. Delegations were invited to official meetings with Muratpaşa Mayor Ümit Uysal and his team, participated in the traditional festive parade, artistic programs, and the Old Town Forum.
During the festival, the Old Town of Ukmergė was presented, and insights were shared on the importance of cultural inclusion, community spirit, and the preservation of intangible cultural heritage. The presentation titled “Intangible Cultural Heritage in Ukmergė” highlighted how the city maintains its identity through living traditions, the preservation of ancient crafts, celebrations, and community initiatives.
An important tradition of the festival is the signing of the Peace Declaration, which symbolically emphasizes that peace is based on three main principles: peace among nations, economic peace, and peace among cultures. This declaration—calling for the protection of heritage, the fostering of understanding, and cooperation between cities—was ceremoniously signed by representatives of all participating delegations.
The Kaleiçi Old Town Festival is not only a celebration of arts, traditions, and history but also an opportunity for international cooperation, opening paths for cities to build sustainable cultural connections.
Information provided by Ukmergė District Municipality
Photos by the festival organizers
