Saradnja gradova pobratima Poljske i bivše Jugoslavije. Programske pretpostavke i stvarnost
Sister cities’ cooperation between Poland and countries of former Yugoslavia. The key assumptions compared to reality

Summary/Abstract: The idea of the cities’ international cooperation was initiated after 2nd World War in order to build long-lasting bonds between dwellers of any feuding countries. With the course of time a number of cooperating municipalities grew significantly, hence the expectations towards the primary form of interaction altered either. Foreign cooperation became key element of local politics positively stimulating development within the field of culture, science, sport or economy. Town twinning movement played its crucial role in Europe and contributed to EU integration in large extent. Despite political differences and geographical distance, the idea of town twinning flourished between cities of Poland and former Yugoslavia as well. Primary contacts were initiated in 1970s: Bydgoszcz & Kragujevac (1971), Plock & Loznica (1972), Boleslawiec & Prnjavor (1974), Cracow & Zagreb (1975) or Bielsko-Biala & Kragujevac (1977). Social and political changes in Poland and corresponding disintegration of Yugoslavia halted mutual cooperation for many years. Nevertheless, today the aforementioned relationship is being built anew, in some cases even continued. A significant growth in number of twinned cities (currently over 30) does not always reflect the quality of this partnership. The paper investigates the origin of urban networks of Poland and countries of former Yugoslavia within the framework of sister-town movement putting in the limelight basic areas of cooperation, its forms and significance.

• Details
• Contents