“Dear Elena Paschinger. I am contacting you on behalf of an international conference aimed at innovative destination management in tourism, which will take place in Košice, Slovakia. The conference focuses on best practice examples of innovative know-how exchange and experience in tourism destinations. We would be delighted if you could speak in front of our audience. Thank you in advance for your time!”
I am still travelling on my #CreativElenaRTW creative trip around the world as the above words reach me via email by dear Marián Matusák, on my way from Japan to Nepal. And yes, I am indeed delighted! What an opportunity, I am thinking in between worlds, with Europe at the time still far away. But such is the nature of our everyday lives in terms of connectivity: We can start preparing conference speeches and entire programs from a distance, literally the world over. Which is wonderful. And deserves a special mention of this unique conference here in South-Eastern Slovakia, a “world apart” from its capital city Bratislava which I explored only last year.
“This one is different”, Miso Hudak smiles and literally takes me by the hand, leading me around “his” Košice – the way only a local would.
The way I knew I would love. “So you have been to Bratislava?”, he repeats as we walk away from the historical centre of Košice, to learn what makes up “the remaining 98% of town”. Where the actual people live. Where the soul of the city resides, as expressed through astounding public art spaces & simply amazing street art graffiti. “The South-East of Slovakia, close to the borders with Hungary, Romania, Ukraine and Poland, is very different from the ‘West’. In fact, I don’t believe in the concept of nation-states anyway – much more so in regional cohesion and local initiatives.” Listening to Miso, who has written a book about Košice in the most unusual way possible, I find we agree on many concepts, despite the obvious differences in our individual backgrounds & everyday lives. “You like street art graffiti? Come on, then. Let’s adapt this tour to meet your very interests!”
Košice, in South-Eastern Slovakia, truly opens up to you upon second glance.
To understand what I mean by that, we have to leave the pretty facades of the historic city centre …
… and walk out to where …
… the people live & we get an actual (over)view of the city, as from this shopping centre at the western edge of town.
Košice, too, gives way to constant (re)development: Miso is pained by having his childhood memory of a traditional local market flattened only to make way a new soccer stadium.
At the same time, just around the corner, my eyes widen over this amazing “piece” of street art graffiti !!
And would you know that Košice people actually care about, and support, the victims of Fukushima in Japan?
Especially love this one here, too. My favourite among all street art we saw that day, in fact!
Art in public spaces also serves as a means of orientation in a city whose apartment buildings often take on a more uniform appearance.
Really enjoyed a unique view & insight into everyday life culture in Košice thanks to my local walk with Miso Hudak: Thank you so much for this opportunity!
CARAT conference kicks off with communication experts from Košice, Ukraine, England – and Austria. Love the international mix & inspiration!
In 2013, Košice has enjoyed international attention for being a European Capital of Culture city, hence a lot of development programs have since stimulated and increased the region’s cross-border cooperation & strategies for (creative) tourism development. “We are so pleased to have you here in Košice. Participants will be interested in a range of topics: Destination management, innovative forms of marketing & PR, tourism product development. Your inputs are greatly appreciated!”
Words like these spur my creativity.
Indeed, the feeling I have during my presentation is one of sharing my most recent insights & knowledge from travelling around the world, researching & publishing about creative tourism networks worldwide and being involved with countless examples of innovative PR & tourism destination management since many years already. I have been truly touched by feedback from my conference participants: “Elena. It was such a pleasure to meeting you in Košice. You opened a new ‘tourism world’ for me: Creative Tourism, which is not developed in my region. You brought a nice and very interesting idea of how to attract more tourists to our region by establishing and providing ‘creative services’ to visitors. Thank you very much for that. I also love your amazing stories about travelling, different destinations and people! Great job! I do believe your book will be very helpful for those who are planning their trips worldwide!”
Thank you so much for this, dear Nadiya! It will be my pleasure to keep moving & inspiring people!
Košice, European Capital of Culture in 2013 …
… deserves more than just being heard of: Indeed, I recommend you to visit the entire area, as I have been left with a desire to explore more in this particular part of the world!
And for now, honoured to have my contribution valued for everyone concerned! 😉
The audience is listening, as interactive & supportive as you could wish for!
And what a pleasure to meet & network with Paul Bourne and his creative theatre mission during this CARAT conference !! Check out his exciting website & company here.
No conference finishes without a visit to a cosy local wine cellar restaurant (HOME, is what I feel in here, finally back in a wine cellar after all these months of travelling round the world ..!).
Let us hope Košice & beyond will see me back soon! After all there is the beautiful High Tatras mountain region to be explored, only a good hour away from the city … or how about a long-distance (food & wine) hiking trail into the border regions? Definitely up for that, after all my recent adventures in that sense: Košice, count me in!
