On Tuesday, October 1st, 2024, the authorities of the Interreg IPA Romania-Serbia Programme, together with over 100 distinguished guests from Serbia and Romania, celebrated Interreg Cooperation Day 2024, at the historic Fetislam Fortress in Kladovo, Republic of Serbia.
The event highlighted the spirit of Interreg cooperation by presenting the results of the Romanian-Serbian projects funded under the European Union’s cross-border cooperation programmes. One of these tangible results was the restoration of the Fetislam Fortress, carried out with the support of European funds, providing a symbolic setting for this celebration.
The key moments of the event included:
- A guided Tour of Fetislam Fortress: guests enjoyed a guided tour of the fortress, exploring its rich history.
- Cross-border Projects Fair, held at the Visitor Center, where informative materials were presented on innovative projects funded in the border area.
- Citizen Consultation: a public consultation on the future of cross-border cooperation post-2027, where 50 citizens completed surveys and shared their ideas and vision for the region.
- Cultural Performances: in celebration of the strong cultural ties between Romanians and Serbians, youth from both sides of the border performed traditional dances, the Danubius and Polet dance ensembles.
- Live Concert: the day ended with a concert by the band Pretty Loud.
Interreg Cooperation Day is celebrated annually around September 21st as part of a pan-European campaign, facilitated by Interact and implemented by Interreg Programmes and their partners. The campaign aims to bring cross-border cooperation closer to the public, highlighting the benefits it brings to local communities.
This year’s theme, “European Union Values Overcoming Borders,” invites us to reflect on the impact of borders and the strides made to remove barriers to travel, study or work freely across Europe.
