These towns and villages will represent their countries in the competition of Entente Florale Europe in 2024:
Diksmuide can be found in the heart of the Westhoek and is located at the crossroads of the rivers lJzer and Handzamevaart. Diksmuide has always been known as the Butter City.
The historical center of Diksmuide starts its story as early as the twelfth century. The Grote Markt in Diksmuide is the second largest market square in Belgium. During the First World War, the Grote Markt was an important military site and thus became a target for the enemy with total destruction as a result. The memories of the Great War are a common thread and remain visible in the Diksmuide landscape.
Diksmuide is located in a “Green Sea” where there is a strong focus on tourism and outdoor recreation. We appreciate our beautiful scenery, panoramic views, small villages and protected nature reserves. ln addition to the nature reserves – De Blankaart, Viconiakleiputten, Handzamevallei, etc. the lJzer Valley is one of the most important habitats for numerous bird species in Flanders. With its extensive rural expanse including 15 villages, Diksmuide represents a great deal in terms of maintenance and layout of the landscape, where biodiversity, sustainability, heritage and citizen participation are ever present and are a constant focus for local inhabitants.
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The village Dobrochov is located in the Olomouc region, which is a part of the Czech Republic. The first written mention of the village is from 1131. Dobrochov is mainly an agricultural village. Intensive agricultural production has a negative impact on the environment, in particular the limited number of forest areas. Despite this handicap, the municipality constantly creates conditions for sustainable development and improvement of the environment.
The village has been constantly improving its surroundings with the aim of expanding green areas by new planting and restoration of extinct forest areas and trees, as well as expand the space for leisure time. Public participation and support of the municipal council contributed fundamentally to the ongoing process of creating and improving public spaces in the municipality. Great emphasis is also placed on environmental education. There is no school in the village and so the main role in environmental education is played by the clubs. A well-developed waste management strategy encouraged a significant increase in sorted waste and its disposal. Throughout the year, the village Dobrochov organizes a number of cultural events, in particular traditional folk festivals and observance of Christian customs and traditions, aimed primarily at children and youth.
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Bollstedter citizens have given the future a lot of thought and have manifested this in a village development strategy. They are particularly proud that they have no vacant or derelict houses and buildings in the village. For them, internal development has priority over external development. New usage concepts for the old mill, the old school, the school yard, the old garden center and the old school sports hall have been developed and successfully implemented.
The inhabitants are very proud that they have a kindergarten for more than 50 children aged 1-6 years. The have a doctor in the village, a hairdresser, a beauty salon, an inn and a bakery.
The residents not only rely on politics, but also actively help. With just over 1,000 inhabitants, Bollstedt has 10 active associations in which 650 members are active. In the associations there are two associations, the landscape maintenance association and the Bollstedt playground association, which are not everywhere and which do outstanding work in their field.
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Székesfehérvár is an ancient coronational city, which is one of the strongest industrial cities in Hungary nowadays, a main traffic hub located between Budapest and Lake Balaton. The downtown, which was restored in 2013, shines as a gem at the heart of this strong economic centre preserving its medieval structure of streets. Life buzzes in the centre with exciting events all year round which are best enjoyed on the cosy terraces.
Besides the continuous development of parks we are also proud to be able to involve local communities in the movement to adorn the city with a local campaign „For a flowery and greener Székesfehérvár”. Székesfehérvár has successfully taken part in the competition „Hungary in Bloom” since 1994 every year, and in 2017, the city also received the special award of the Prime Minister. In 2019 Székesfehérvár was the national winner in City category.
Sustainability is a very important factor in the development of Székesfehérvár. The green heart of the city, the rehabilitated Sóstó Conservation Area and Nature Trail on around 220 ha (540 ac) was inaugurated in 2018. Only a 10-minute drive from the downtown, it welcomes the lovers of nature with special flora and fauna. In the neighbourhood MOL Aréna Sóstó, which was among the World’s Top 10 Stadiums in 2018, hosts numerous public events. Our mission is to make Székesfehérvár develop as a vivid, green smart city with a cohesive local community in the heart of Hungary and Europe. Welcome to Székesfehérvár!
Orfű is a holiday destination located among the hills of Mecsek Mountains, 15 km from the city of Pécs. The former five villages of the valley have developed over the past few decades into a united recreational area, showcasing the exceptional natural treasures of the South of Hungary.
Orfű is all for relaxation and leisure: the climate is excellent, the air is clean, and the landscape with three large lakes is beautiful. There is a large choice of activities, sports fields, horse-riding, water sports, heritage sights, museums, restaurants, guest houses and even music events. The community always welcomes guests, who can find everything for a perfect vacation. Wild forests, lakes for bathing, fishing and water sports; thermal bath and fresh water beaches, a stalactite cave – all within a 10 km radius.
The fascinating beauty of the diverse landscape, the tranquility of the cosy villages hiding in the forests, the fields, and the friendly community preserving and enhancing the natural values make Orfű and its surroundings a very popular travel destination of Hungary and Europe.
First mentioned in 1375, Veresegyház was formally declared as a town in 1999. Owing to its dynamic development over the past decades, our lovely town has almost tripled in population, which currently amounts to 22,000 inhabitants. Despite the demographic expansion, we take pride in preserving our green areas, which mainly consist of tranquil woods. Located 23 km North East of Budapest the town’s atmosphere is strongly characterised by the banks of the Szöd-Rákos stream, the breath-taking cluster of our three-nature reserves/lakes, and plenty of forest belts and floral-enhanced public spaces. While great emphasis is placed on the architectural development, we focus on preserving our heritage. New Public buildings are designed in line with an organic architecture, providing a sophisticated integration to the old town centre. Local artists also contribute to the charm of Veresegyház by creating amazing pieces of art which are displayed in public areas. Veresegyház is well known for the ongoing development and utilisation of geothermal energy, which offers sustainable and economic solutions for heating not only for local residential buildings but also in industrial buildings. Wednesdays and Saturdays are noted for the famous local market, which has been held in the town centre for many years. However, the most noteworthy attraction in our town is the Bear Farm. Unique in Europe, it provides a home for rescued animals. In 2011 the local government created the ‘floral and tidy home’ movement, to recognise all the volunteer activities, aimed at enhancing the overall appearance of the Town.
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Keadue village situated in County Roscommon is adjacent to Lough Meelagh and at the foot of the Arigna mountains. The village won numerous awards over the years in the Tidy Towns competition including the National Award in 1993 and 2003 and a Silver Medal in the Entente Florale. The O’Carolan International Harp Festival, held in honour of the famous harper and composer Turlough O’Carolan, who is interred in Kilronan Abbey, takes place annually.
The community actively promotes its heritage, biodiversity and sustainability. Heritage trails and walks have been developed through the local Knockranny wood where people can experience the flora and fauna. Along this walk there is a Court Tomb dating back to 3000BC. A ‘Crannóg’, an ancient lake dwelling, can be seen in Lough Meelagh. One can also see Kilronan Castle Hotel. This had been a ruin until 2006 and was developed as a luxury Hotel and Spa.
Located between the Dublin Mountains and Dublin Bay, Dalkey’s main thoroughfare includes medieval castles and colourful shopfronts in a Victorian streetscape. Dalkey Tidy Towns received four major awards in the 2021 Tidy Towns competition; Dublin winner in the county awards, gold in the national awards, special award for Climate Action and Air Quality and large town national winner. Other achievements in 2021 included reaching the finals of the SEAI Sustainable Energy competition with the Dalkey Energy Masterplan.
Dalkey Tidy Towns work with a wide range of agencies, bodies and businesses to run ongoing programmes to maintain and improve the town environment. It runs creative projects in relation to sustainable energy, community support, communication and education, youth involvement, biodiversity and heritage.
Dalkey Tidy Towns and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council work very closely together, collaborating on many projects particularly recent public realm improvements and planting in response to Covid.
